Manufacturers are urged to use this time to upskill teams, increase business competitiveness and prepare for post-Coronavirus opportunities
- Employees can continue to train while being paid under the government furlough scheme1
- A quarter2 is already turning to online training to improve knowledge and job security
- UK manufacturers are urged to upskill and “get fit” to compete for new business in post-Covid diversified supply chains
- Industry Forum launches new virtual training courses
A lack of job security has led to a quarter2 (24%) of the UK workforce to turn to online courses to learn new skills or expand current knowledge during the Coronavirus, according to a recent survey by The Open University.
The research found that half (49%) of all current UK workers have been affected by uncertainty; and five million (14%)3 expect the pandemic to have dramatically changed the skills required to fulfil their roles by the time they return to work. Survey participants also urged employers to give direction as to which courses are best to ensure new skills become valued assets.
Industry Forum – the UK’s only JIPM certified consultancy for Total Productive Maintenance – has reacted to the current working environment by launching virtual, instructor-led courses as well as a range of self-directed, online ‘e-learning’ modules.
A number of Industry Forum’s most popular training courses are now available remotely. The instructor-led courses have been adapted to make them interactive and engaging when delivered digitally, and to provide full certification.
“The post-Coronavirus redesign of global supply chains to become more diversified will bring new opportunities for UK manufacturers. The winning companies will have skilled workforces that are adept at using technology and switching to new ways of working. With the latest launch of courses, delivered by our top experts, Industry Forum is continuing its drive to deliver relevant, world-class training across every manufacturing discipline,” says Paul Heard, CEO at Industry Forum.
The following courses are available immediately via https://www.industryforum.co.uk/about/support-digitally/
Virtual, instructor led courses:
- Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) Training – Successful Asset Start-up – Risks and recovery
- Mobilising your Supply Chain – Supplier, Inventory and customer order management
- Supply Chain Management Training – Inventory & MRP/Planning
- Green Belt Training
- Team Leader Essentials Training
- NPI Essentials Training
- NPI Project Management Training
‘E-learning’, self-directed online modules:
- APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)
- APICS Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM)
- APICS Certified in Logistics, Transportation & Distribution (CLTD)
In addition to these courses which are suitable for any manufacturing sector business, Industry Forum also offers a number of automotive and aerospace-specific courses digitally, details of which can be found on its website.
Recent research showed that 54% prefer to learn at the point of need (to have the option to learn what they want when they want), 94% prefer to learn at their own speed and 78% are excited to use technology for learning. The benefits for employers, include proactive use of current downtime, reduction in the effort and cost of learning, as well as admin involved in trying to manage large numbers of employees into the same room at the same time.
Industry Forum helps major global manufacturers understand, optimise and improve both manufacturing capability and business performance. Over 250 organisations in 30 countries trust Industry Forum to deliver and maintain sustainable improvement. www.industryforum.co.uk/
Notes
1The UK government has confirmed that furloughed employees are able to take part in online training, as long as their current salary meets the UK national living wage.
2AccorNumber most recent data regarding the number of jobs in the UK (Dec 19) showed a total of 35.83million.
The Open University commissioned Opinium Research to interview 2,002 UK adults between 28 April and 1 May.
Published results state that coronavirus uncertainty is affecting half (49%) of current job roles across the UK, and a quarter (24%) of employees have taken on additional learning opportunities to boost their employability and protect the value of their skills.
24% of 35.83million is 8,599,200
314% of respondents agreed that Covid-19 will change the professional skills required for their job roles.14% of 35.85 million is 5,016,200.00.
For more information please visit: www.open.ac.uk/business/apprenticeships/blog/employees-distance-learning
Image – SMMT Industry Forum has launched virtual, instructor-led courses as well as a range of self-directed, online ‘e-learning’ modules for people working in any manufacturing sector.
Image – SMMT Industry Forum is the UK’s only JIPM certified consultancy for Total Productive Maintenance.
Image – “The post-Coronavirus redesign of global supply chains to become more diversified will bring new opportunities for UK manufacturers. The winning companies will have skilled workforces that are adept at using technology and switching to new ways of working,” says Paul Heard, CEO at Industry Forum.
About SMMT Industry Forum
Industry Forum was established in 1996 by the UK government, the SMMT and vehicle manufacturers to improve the competitiveness of UK manufacturers, with the provision of training and consultancy services. It has been helping deliver the government-funded National Manufacturing Competitiveness Levels (NMCL) package, with £16 million for automotive programmes and a further £10 million for aerospace, created to help manufacturers of all sizes and stages of development understand how competitive they currently are and develop the specific business capabilities they need to boost their performance. Its predecessor, the £13 million Long Term Automotive Supply Chain Competitiveness (LTASC) programme, leveraged £41 million in private investment over four years, creating and safeguarding some 3,200 jobs across the supply chain.