Gavin Ward Ltd, the Burney-based heating installer, is celebrating its success after being honoured at the North West Learndirect Achievement Awards ceremony.
It won the small/medium-sized company award, sponsored by the North West Development Agency. The award recognises the achievements of small/medium-sized companies in supporting staff with Learndirect training.

Paul Dove is managing director of the company which specialises in heating installation through the government's Warm Front scheme throughout the North West.

In July 2009, Dove encouraged six of his customer care staff to have their skills assessed and to enrol on an NVQ in Customer Service at Learndirect's Burnley Telematics centre.

Dove supports his staff in their e-learning and work-based assessments. They are progressing well, improving their knowledge in customer service skills, and learning new ways of working. Learndirect's flexible learning has been the perfect solution to the company's work-based training needs, and has significantly improved staff confidence and morale.

'Gavin Ward is incredibly proud of this award,' said Dove.

'We've worked closely with Learndirect, looking at the training needs of the business as a whole, as well as developing learning plans for individual employees too. We are a customer service business and have been servicing our customers in the North West since 1968.

'Being formally recognised is extremely pleasing!'

Now in their fourth year, the awards recognise the achievements of people learning with Learndirect, businesses training, and the people and centres supporting them.

'The nominees include learners who have overcome personal difficulties to learn and have gone on to find a job or move up in their career, as well as businesses which have thrived as a result of improving the skills and motivation of their workforce.

Gavin Ward will now represent the North West in the national event this summer. National winners will be invited to a reception in London later in the year.

For further information about how Learndirect can help you improve your skills and get a qualification please visit www.learndirect.co.uk or call 0800 101 901.