Part of the Etc.
Making a return to education after years away from the classroom can seem pretty daunting. But this team of PD ports workers have proven that they’re top class.
The group has taken part in a series of bespoke management courses at Stockton Riverside College.
And after months of negotiating their studies around their day jobs and family life, this week the staff have seen their hard work recognised at a glittering awards ceremony hosted by the College.
Speaking at the start of the training programme, PD Ports’ Group HR Director Russ McCallion said: “At PD Ports, we feel that providing employees with the opportunity to take part in further education is key to the growth of our business.
“Personal development is something we are fully committed to and further drives our agenda as an employer of choice in the region.”
The training courses offered opportunities to aspirational workers from across all levels of the business, as part of PD Ports’ commitment to invest in the future development of its staff.
Chief Executive Officer David Robinson said: “This is an investment that we believe will pay dividends for many years to come.
“The only way to become a leading company, not just in the Tees Valley and the North-east but in the UK, is to have the best people, and at PD Ports we have the best people.”
To help meet the demands of the business, Stockton Riverside College created a course timetable that not only delivered the skills needed but also fit around work commitments.
The College’s Business Programme Area Leader, Garry Fox, said: “We created a bespoke delivery programme, offering three different levels of training, on a three-week cycle-basis, to suit the learning requirements of the staff members and also to fit around the demands of the working business,”
A total of 41 PD Ports workers successfully completed their courses, achieving Level 2, Level 3 or Level 5 management qualifications.
Helen Smith, (left) IFS Manager, PD Ports - Level 5 CMI Diploma in Management and Leadership
“It was a bit nerve wracking at first because it is has been quite a long time since I have done any studying but it has been really helpful. We have learnt so much and it has really helped me to gain a greater understanding of how the wider business works.”
Andrew Smith (right) Dock Operative, PD Ports - Level 2 Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Certificate in Team Leading
“It has been really good. It is great to be given the opportunity and that the company feels it can invest in its workforce. I have worked for the company for 12 or 13 years it’s great to have the qualification to match your experience. You have to try and improve yourself and this is another string to your bow.”
Richard Gates (far left) Unitised Team Leader, PD Ports - Level 2 Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Certificate in Team Leading
“I haven’t done anything like this since I left school but we all settled into it straight away. It is hard work, especially juggling family life and trying to do homework but I am glad I’ve done it. You could say it has worked for me. I did the Level 2 in team leading and since then I’ve become a team leader.”
Paul Hodgson (above right) Unitised Team Leader, PD Ports - Level 3 CMI Certificate in First-line Management
“I have done a Level 2 before so I knew this was going to be hard work, especially juggling work and study with two kids but I have done it and I enjoyed it. I found the tutor very approachable and it does make you think about work a bit differently. It makes you think a bit deeper before diving in to make a decision.”
The group has taken part in a series of bespoke management courses at Stockton Riverside College.
And after months of negotiating their studies around their day jobs and family life, this week the staff have seen their hard work recognised at a glittering awards ceremony hosted by the College.
Speaking at the start of the training programme, PD Ports’ Group HR Director Russ McCallion said: “At PD Ports, we feel that providing employees with the opportunity to take part in further education is key to the growth of our business.
“Personal development is something we are fully committed to and further drives our agenda as an employer of choice in the region.”
The training courses offered opportunities to aspirational workers from across all levels of the business, as part of PD Ports’ commitment to invest in the future development of its staff.
Chief Executive Officer David Robinson said: “This is an investment that we believe will pay dividends for many years to come.
“The only way to become a leading company, not just in the Tees Valley and the North-east but in the UK, is to have the best people, and at PD Ports we have the best people.”
To help meet the demands of the business, Stockton Riverside College created a course timetable that not only delivered the skills needed but also fit around work commitments.
The College’s Business Programme Area Leader, Garry Fox, said: “We created a bespoke delivery programme, offering three different levels of training, on a three-week cycle-basis, to suit the learning requirements of the staff members and also to fit around the demands of the working business,”A total of 41 PD Ports workers successfully completed their courses, achieving Level 2, Level 3 or Level 5 management qualifications.
Helen Smith, (left) IFS Manager, PD Ports - Level 5 CMI Diploma in Management and Leadership“It was a bit nerve wracking at first because it is has been quite a long time since I have done any studying but it has been really helpful. We have learnt so much and it has really helped me to gain a greater understanding of how the wider business works.”
Andrew Smith (right) Dock Operative, PD Ports - Level 2 Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Certificate in Team Leading“It has been really good. It is great to be given the opportunity and that the company feels it can invest in its workforce. I have worked for the company for 12 or 13 years it’s great to have the qualification to match your experience. You have to try and improve yourself and this is another string to your bow.”
Richard Gates (far left) Unitised Team Leader, PD Ports - Level 2 Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Certificate in Team Leading“I haven’t done anything like this since I left school but we all settled into it straight away. It is hard work, especially juggling family life and trying to do homework but I am glad I’ve done it. You could say it has worked for me. I did the Level 2 in team leading and since then I’ve become a team leader.”
Paul Hodgson (above right) Unitised Team Leader, PD Ports - Level 3 CMI Certificate in First-line Management
“I have done a Level 2 before so I knew this was going to be hard work, especially juggling work and study with two kids but I have done it and I enjoyed it. I found the tutor very approachable and it does make you think about work a bit differently. It makes you think a bit deeper before diving in to make a decision.”
