WIREDGOV

Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Ken Skates, yesterday presented Ian Mayo, Site Director, with the Welsh Government’s Employer Pledge Award which is given to employers who show a real commitment to supporting their employees in the workplace and go the extra mile to identify and support staff who need help with essential skills.

Memory Lane Cakes, which employs over 850 staff at its site in Llanishen, first started producing cakes in 1958 and today makes products for some of the biggest branded bakery and confectionery names in the UK.

The company has a strong track record of developing skills within the workplace, with all 850 staff receiving some form of education and training, including training that has been funded through the Welsh Government’s Essential Skills in the Workplace (ESiW) programme and the Wales Union Learning Fund.

The Essential Skills in the Workplace programme provides free training and support to help develop the essential skills of employed individuals. This includes reading, writing, using numbers at work, communicating with others and using ICT at work.

The programme delivers a tailor-made training programme at a time and venue that is suitable for the employer and employee alike.

The European Social Fund (ESF) supports the Employer Pledge Award and forms part of the wider ESiW programme.

Presenting the award , the Deputy Minister said:

“When a company chooses to become involved in the Essential Skills in the Workplace programme, they are making their business stronger and more competitive.

“Memory Lane Cakes recognises this and has placed great importance on providing opportunities for staff to develop their skills by understanding the benefits that this will bring to their business.

“ESiW has helped people across Wales to feel more confident in the way they use their essential skills in the workplace, boosting both their motivation and performance and their company’s overall productivity.

“As we look towards the publication of our Skills Policy Statement next week, I would like to encourage all employers to follow the example of Memory Lane Cakes and invest in the skills of their workforce”