One organisation which has already seen improvements in the workplace after engaging in ICT Essential Skills training is KNI (formerly Kedington NI Ltd) -specialists in Network Cabling services.

Competitive advantage

General Manager, Lawrence Flavelle said: “Business focuses on the bottom line. When we were seeking a competitive advantage we realised that our staff could give us that edge.

After carrying out a skills audit we recognised that many people had allowed education to drift and skills to be forgotten. We realised that in this fast moving technological age the absence of strong ICT skills would disadvantage not just our employees but the company.”

Engaging in Essential Skills

Engaging in the ICT Essential Skills programme has created an enthusiasm and commitment across all grades of staff and brought concrete benefits to the business, including:

• an enhanced competitive edge where training is recognised as an important tool in sustaining our competitive advantage
• a radically reduced skills gap
• immediate productivity returns through work based delivery of ICT

The classes are delivered on site and the learning is work-focused and relevant to the needs of the business. Both the employee and the company contribute time to make the programme work.

Additional skills

Lawrence added: “All the staff now have greater employability skills than they had previously and we are proud of their success and of what we have achieved together for the business with focused training.