Signing the Pledge

1. Signing the Pledge Michael Gill Human Resource Manager

2. Who we are • Privately owned publishing & printing company based in central Lincolnshire • Publish niche sector magazines and contract print newspapers • 240 employees, even split between genders. A third of staff work shifts • ISO 9001 & 14001 registered • Recognised as IiP organisation since 1997

3. Our Skills Pledge • Actively encourage our employees to gain the skills and qualifications that will support their future and meet the needs of our business • Actively encourage all our employees to acquire literacy and numeracy skills and work towards their first level 2 qualification • Demonstrably raise our employees’ knowledge, skills and competencies in the belief that their personal development will be reflected in the development of the company

4. Why did we sign? • To show added commitment to staff development • To raise the profile of the Skills for Life agenda • To provide a holistic approach to skills development

5. Learning Strategy – making it happen • Negotiated learning - Include staff and their managers in the learning process • Initial assessments based on national framework indicators • National tests in numeracy and literacy for all staff – included as part of new starter induction • ICT skills development for all staff • Letter writing for managers, punctuation for editors, etc

6. Links to IiP Indicators • Brings SfL into the business strategy • Linking Skills Pledge and learning programmes (Train to Gain, etc) shows a planned approach to staff development. • Involves managers and staff in the learning process • Creates a feeling of greater involvement for staff • Enables more people to evaluate the impact of learning – corporate, departmental, individual

7. Added value • 95% staff are pleased or very pleased to be part of Mortons • Reduced absence levels (typically 1-2%) • Improves self confidence, raises aspirations