Interserve FM launches Skills Pledge training scheme

06 May 2009

Interserve FM has launched i-Learn, a training and development scheme that gives its 20,000 employees the opportunity to develop their skills while working towards relevant and valuable qualifications.

i-Learn is part of Interserve’s continued commitment to offering training and development to all their staff. In June 2007, Interserve became one of the first employers to make the Skills Pledge – a voluntary public commitment made to all employees to help realise their potential through developing their basic skills, including literacy and numeracy, and working towards relevant, valuable qualifications to at least Level 2 (the equivalent of 5 A* - C grade GCSEs).

“Interserve’s i-Learn is a platform for performance improvement, offering staff the opportunity to develop within the workplace. Interserve supports employees through a range of NVQs, Apprenticeships and Skills for Life, helping develop numeracy, literacy and language skills,” commented Carl Johnson, Head of Leadership and Development at Interserve Facilities Management. He continued: “Employees also have access to a whole host of externally accredited training courses in health and safety, customer service, management training and job-specific learning, often utilising cutting edge e-learning technology.”

Twenty-six million people in England aged 16-65 do not meet level 2 standards in either literacy or numeracy. More than 90 per cent of jobs will require level 2 skills by 2010. Interserve is committed to training and development, both internally and externally, and has an impressive record of delivering apprenticeships and NVQs across technical and engineering services. They have recently partnered with Asset Skills to develop the new cleaning apprenticeship, launched this April, and are now working together on a facilities management apprenticeship, at level 3, to improve skills in the industry and provide more opportunities for staff to progress.

Steve Thomas, Human Resources Director at Interserve Facilities Management, commented: “We are delighted to reaffirm and further develop our commitment to staff training. This step will give thousands of staff access to training that is of great benefit to both themselves and the projects they are working on. This is a fantastic opportunity for our employees to improve their skills, sometimes beyond their own expectations.”