HIGH volume manufacturers across the region are adopting the same approach to training as they do to their production lines, developing staff en masse to gain relevant qualifications.

More than 800 staff have already enrolled on a revolutionary programme aimed at improving the skills of the manufacturing workforce and providing production workers with recognised qualifications.

The massive training scheme has been developed by the Automotive Sector Strategic Alliance (Assa) together with three of the region's colleges, to address the skills needs of industry and to provide a convenient way to train busy production line staff.

Already 783 workers have achieved an NVQ level two in Performing Manufacturing Operations as a result of the Accreditation of Manufacturing Staff (AMS) programme and many more are expected to pass the course in the coming months.

The AMS programme, which is only a pilot scheme at present, has already attracted support from Black & Decker in Spennymoor, Unipres in Sunderland and Calsonic Exhaust Systems in Washington.

Kathryn Scott, from Calsonic, said: "In a production environment where lean manufacturing predominates, releasing operators for training is not always easy to plan. However, staff equipped with the latest skills to cope with new technology and advances in working practices are vital to our success, so on-going training is essential.

"The AMS project interested Calsonic because it provided us with an alternative solution to recognise and reward the efforts of our manufacturing employees that would not disrupt our day-to-day operations."

While staff from Assa oversee the project, tutors from New College in Durham and South Tyneside and Gateshead colleges work within the companies to observe and guide employees on the job.

AMS project manager Nigel Jones said: "Feedback from high volume manufacturers highlighted a desire to develop staff and also to formally recognise experienced workers who do their job well, but who may not have evidence of their competence.

"The motivation that comes from gaining a recognised qualification benefits both the employees and the employer and is a vital step on the journey to encouraging lifelong learning."

Following the success of the pilot phase, Assa hopes to extend the project to enrol a further 1,250 manufacturing workers and introduce a residential element to the course which will give candidates an introduction to production line tools and techniques away from the shopfloor.

For information about the AMS project, contact Nigel Jones at Assa on 0191-523 7476