AN Okehampton-based dairy has won an award in recognition of its continuous commitment to offer training in English language to their employees.

Robert Wiseman Dairies of Okehampton were at an awards ceremony hosted by the Devon and Cornwall Business Council in South Molton.

The ceremony was in recognition of the firm's commitment to the English@Work programme and for supporting its employees.

The award was presented by the chief executive and company secretary Jeremy Filmer-Bennett, to production manager and training organiser at Robert Wiseman Dairies Bobby Burgoyne and quality manager Nick Tester.

Mr Burgoyne said staff were given the best possible training: 'Our Okehampton site employs around 170 employees, processing up to a million litres of milk per week into bottles, bulk creams and Definitely Devon Clotted Cream.

'With this volume of staff and processing, having employees with a good understanding of health and safety, quality issues, working instructions and lines of communication, were key to the site's continued success.

'If a business does not maintain progress within employee training it can remain stagnant, creating a negative feeling within the workforce, greatly affecting efficiency, staff turnover and profitability.'

Most of the students who have attended the English language training at the Okehampton site, have already been promoted to higher grade roles.

Mr Burgoyne added: 'It's a credit to the English@Work training programme and tutor Iwona Flockhaert.

'The award goes a long way towards rewarding all our employees at Okehampton, and their hard work and commitment shown in supporting learning projects and developing new skills on site through shared learning.

'We are always looking for new ways to develop and drive through initiatives to maintain a successful production site and will continue to do so.'

Nick Tester said: 'I was very pleased to support Bobby at the award presentation because I have seen the benefits and improvements the English language training have had within the dairy.

'It is critical to ensure good communication between staff who are manufacturing a quality food product, and these courses have definitely contributed to this aspect of the business.'

Pictured left to right: Nick Tester, Bobby Burgoyne and Jeremy Filmer-Bennett.