In a culture of Total Quality Management manufacturing companies must be committed to continuous performance improvement in all business functions and at all levels of the organisations hierarchy. Forward-looking managers are increasingly investing in the skills and knowledge of their workforce.

The improvement of a workforce's skills and competencies is one of the benefits of training. Successful training helps to motivate staff, who in turn contribute to making the business more efficient and effective. Utilising correctly orientated training reduces cost and generates income. In short, training adds bottom line profits by improving the productivity of the workforce, reducing downtime, raising staff moral and limiting damage, loss and wastage.

"Our equipment operation and maintenance training programmes have helped to improve the productivity of many organisations simply by increasing the effectiveness of the operators and the reliability and operating efficiency of their equipment." Said Bernard Grantham Morris Training Manager

Industry as a whole recognises the importance of a properly trained workforce, who are aware of health and safety issues. Many businesses have realised greater efficiency and a reduction in the number of work related illnesses by increasing their employees' awareness of health and safety issues.

Recent studies conducted by D.A Stewart DipSM MIIRSM, (HSE Manager Europe, Jacobs Engineering) and A. S. Townsend BSc Tech MIOSH (Health and Safety Consultant), have identified a strong link between improving safety and improving productivity. They regard health and safety training as essential for good business and believe that the effort expended in training people and ensuring a safe working environment, yields lower injury frequency rates than the effort expended in administering rules and procedures alone.

An employer's health and safety responsibilities encompass a wide range of issues such as identifying hazards and assessing risks, preparing health and safety statements, providing adequate training and assessing the effects of work on an employee's health, together with introducing risk control measures.

"Investing in the skills and knowledge of your workforce is one of the best investments a company can make" Ted Inman, Morris Training Officer.

Many organisations have identified the benefits of utilising the expertise, competence, objectivity and resources of external certified training organisations. One such leading organisation is the Morris Training Institute. The training organisation provides on-site, regional and international training, together with safety instruction in an interactive atmosphere. Morris' modular training courses encompass four principle areas: equipment operation and efficiency; technical, mechanical and electrical maintenance; health and safety and workshop training. Each course component is tailored to suit customers' exact requirements. Legal regulations are featured in the programmes to ensure compliance with statutory requirements. Customised packages are also provided at the purpose designed Morris Institute training facility.

In order to establish a bespoke, cost-effective training solution, to suit specific operational requirements and meet corporate aims and objectives, the Institute conducts a free training needs analysis prior to the development and commencement of a training programme.

"Whilst a syllabus is strictly adhered to, the training provided by Morris provided the flexibility to cater for our delegates individual needs." Said Nick Clarke, Group Training and Development Manager, UK Coal Limited.

Two of the many organisations that have recently benefited from Morris' tailored training packages are Vapor Stone UK and UK Coal Ltd (formerly known as the RJB Mining Group).

Vapor Stone UK, based in Burton on Trent, recently selected the Morris Material Handling Training Institute to deliver a two day training programme to instruct their staff in applying best practise in hoist operation, lifting and slinging techniques, and the safe use of portable gas equipment.

"We choose Morris Material Handling to perform our training because of their reputation and expertise within the industry. Prior to arranging the training we were visited by Morris' Training Manager, Bernard Grantham to understand our needs and advise us on the most suitable course." Said David Haynes, Manufacturing Manager, Vapor Stone UK.

The customised programme introduced individuals to the best practice methods, procedures and applications for the identification and selection of the most appropriate lifting equipment when lifting and transferring materials. The procedures for inspecting lifting equipment and for isolating equipment that fails to conform were key components to ensure conformity to statutory requirements. Employees were given instruction to provide them with the knowledge and skills to operate hoisting equipment in a safe and effective manner. The tuition also introduced the staff to the current British and European standards and codes of practice when working safely with industrial gases and equipment aligned to gas welding and cutting processes.

The Morris Institute recently won a contract to train the UK Coal's National Response Team in crane inspection and crane maintenance programmes, covering both mechanical and electrical applications.

The modular maintenance training programmes, provided crane operators with vital information on methods of effectively inspecting overhead travelling cranes, complementing and supporting in-house maintenance and ensuring a safe working environment. The programme delivered instruction on evaluating and correcting structural drive machinery and hoist problems, and essential tuition on preventative maintenance, which will help to deter costly equipment breakdowns.

In addition the institute also instructed UK Coal's training team on the safe operation of overhead travelling cranes with their 'Training the Trainer' programme, which has been welcomed by many large organisations. The aim of this three-day interactive course was to enable the operator to use the crane safely and efficiently. Slinging and centre of gravity assessment is included, along with basic un-laden control and Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER).

"Our Instructors were delighted with the standard of service provided by Morris. In line with our policy of continuous development and to ensure our instructors are fully up to date with industry advances and innovations we need to have a provider of the highest calibre and profile. All roads in our search for this provider led us back to Morris Material Handling. Said Nick Clarke, Group Training and Development Manager, UK Coal Limited.

The Modular training format included practical and written exercises enabling individuals to develop their skills and confidence in a supportive environment to ensure the successful transfer of skills into the workplace.

The Morris Training Institute has run numerous courses for many of the UK's leading businesses. The Institute has also been involved in the drive to bring health and safety issues to the attention of industry and business, working closely with other industry bodies such as the Heath & Safety Executive, the Institute of Occupational Safety & Health, the Road Transport Industry Training Board and the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board.