Thirteen forklift truck drivers from Leicestershire are celebrating after completing Level 2 NVQs in Plant Operations, thanks to Train to Gain, a service funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to help businesses succeed.

Leicestershire's Brett Landscaping, based near Loughborough, enlisted the support of Train to Gain Skills Broker, James Lund, to find the most suitable courses to develop the skills of its workforce.

Simon Titchener, 43, from Barrow upon Soar, received his certificate today. He said: "It's great to know that the company I work for is so keen to help us be the best at what we do. I have learnt a lot from the NVQ course and hope I can take the next level too."


Production manager, Duncan Robertson, said: "Brett Landscaping is committed to giving its workforce the chance to develop their skills and qualifications, which they will be able to put into practice here and use long into the future.

"We wouldn't have been able to do this without the fantastic support of the Train to Gain service and we will continue to work with James to coordinate more NVQ Level 2s and higher level qualifications too."

Train to Gain Skills Broker James Lund said: "It is really encouraging to be involved with a company that is so committed to developing its workforce, and I am delighted that the first 13 members of staff have successfully achieved their NVQs. I look forward to supporting the company long into the future to help them with all their training needs."

All companies can access the Train to Gain service either by taking the Skills Pledge - a campaign to inspire people to improve their skills - or by contacting the Train to Gain helpline direct. Developing skills across the county is vital to increase productivity, support advances in enterprise and innovation and improve our economic well being.

(GK/JM)