NCT and Challenge Consulting were delighted to learn today that they had qualified as finalists in the 2006 National Training Awards scheme.
The National Training Awards are the UK's number one accolade for business organisations and individuals who have achieved lasting excellence and success through training and learning. Their aim is to recognise and celebrate the people and the organisations that create success through training and personal development.
The National Training Awards are universally recognised as being the number one in their field. Winners demonstrate achievements across a vast spectrum of activities, whether that activity is, based in the workplace or in the community.
An entry was drafted for training carried out by Challenge Consulting with the NCT Travel Centre staff which has taken place over the last 2 years.
NCT is a major public transport operator for the greater Nottingham area, operating over 300 buses across 100 different routes, enabling almost 50 million passenger journeys a year. The NCT Travel Centre doubles as a call centre responding to over 10,000 calls a month, plus a retail outlet providing journey planning advice and selling pre purchased tickets and smartcards, it issues around 40,000 travel cards and handles in excess of 300,000 renewals a year.
Challenge Consulting, based in Woodthorpe, Nottingham, specialise in designing bespoke training and development activities to a range of clients in both the public and private sector and has worked with Nottingham City Transport extensively for the last 2.5 years on various projects. The copany formed almost 10 years ago and prides itself on the quality of delivery and the long standing relationships it develops with its clients.
The team at the Travel Centre was newly formed when the activities started, and several development areas were identified following interviews with staff at the Travel Centre and the Travel Centre Manager. A proposal was suggested by Challenge Consulting which included a true partnership approach, developing the programmes alongside coaching for the Manager and supervisors to help support the activities from within the business and to develop ideas.
The overall aim of the activities was to formulate working practices and procedures within the Travel Centre to enable staff and Managers to work productively and harmoniously together to provide an excellent level of service to the people of Nottingham.
A variety of activities have taken place including Team Development Work, workshops to gather ideas on working practices and procedures, Customer Care, Managing Difficult Situations and People. Coaching and Training activities have also been undertaken by Challenge Consulting with the Travel Centre Manager and the two supervisors.
The results have included an increase in motivation which has been measured through surveys at the Travel Centre, a reduction in sickness absence, a reduction in staff turnover, and a more flexible workforce. The Travel Centre recently were congratulated by Nottinghamshire City Council for re-issuing 36,000 passes in a very short period of time, which was achieved through dedication, team working and the willingness of staff to support each other to achieve their targets.
Challenge Consulting identified the Travel Centre activities as being worthy of entry to for prestigious National Training Awards as they felt it demonstrated a truly flexible and organic approach to training. It also demonstrates clearly that results can be achieved most successfully when companies and training providers work closely together to produce a unique and tailored package.
The formula for success in this case was to involve all of the staff and Managers from day one in the process and to create a true learning environment which will contribute on an ongoing basis to the excellent service levels offered to the people of Nottingham through the Travel Centre.
Quote from Dawn Edwards, Managing Director, Challenge Consulting
“I am delighted with the news that we have reached the finals of the National Training Awards. The staff here at Challenge, and the staff at the Travel Centre have worked incredibly hard to bring about the excellent results we have seen, and it is wonderful that they have been recognised for it.”
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