WORKERS at a top South Tyneside company have proved they are engineered for excellence.
Staff at Ford Aerospace and Ford Components, which has bases in South Shields and Hebburn, successfully completed a training course aimed at boosting business improvement.
A specialist in the precision machining and pressing of components and assemblies for the aerospace, defence and high technology industries, Ford has its roots in the community.
A total of 26 of the employees achieved NVQ Levels 2 & 3 in LEAN and Business Improvement, receiving their certificates at a celebratory lunch hosted by Ford management.
In 2011, Ford picked up a string of awards for its business achievements, including the Culture For Success Award, presented by Service Network and Entrust in recognition of Ford's change in organisational culture, and the TDR Training Award (medium-sized companies) at TDR's annual awards dinner.
The company also collected the runners-up certificate for training at the EEF Future Manufacturing Awards.
Managing director, Mark Podmore, said: "We have made a considerable investment in ongoing staff development over the past 12 months. Not only do we want to equip the company with the staffing skills needed to aid business development and growth, but we also want to motivate our workforce and promote the inclusive culture we have adopted here at Ford."
The training, which was designed and delivered by Team Valley-based TDR Training, guided and supported staff through a range of programmes and activities around LEAN and business improvement, including problem-solving, value stream mapping and continuous improvement.
Among the participants was Karl Dambers, 39, who joined Ford more than a decade ago, and is now employed as a production shift leader.
He said: "The training has been excellent, and we've already started to implement changes in how we operate.
"It's great to feel valued and part of a company that genuinely cares about its workforce and their opinions."
Speaking on behalf of TDR, director, Ian Hunter, said: "We are delighted to have been able to support Ford in such an effective way.
"It is so encouraging to work with a company which obviously values its employees, and it is great to hear how individuals feel that they have developed as a result of our training programme."
