OKEHAMPTON'S largest company has set up a learning centre in a bid to improve on-site training after joining in partnership with the Ockment Centre.

The Heinz Academy is the first workplace learning centre in Devon to be linked to the Government assisted learning programme Learndirect.

The centre consists of a number of computers, where learners will have access to various courses such as basic computer skills and languages as well as more advanced IT, including the internet.

To ease people back into learning, all courses will be tutor-led by the Ockment Centre and they will give guidance and assistance to people who may feel nervous or apprehensive about learning new skills.

The company is also keen to promote learning among all its staff which will also include non-computer courses such as maths and English.

It is the aim of Heinz to extend the facility in the future to include the families of employees to build further links with the local community.

Learning at Heinz in Okehampton kicked off when the management and on-site union USDAW (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) set up a training and communications working party.

Factory manager Paul Tomkiss said Heinz was committed to training and, together with USDAW, wanted to find ways of extending more general learning opportunities to all their staff.

'The working party was the start of a process that aims to improve communications throughout the site and to offer a programme of personal development to all staff,' he said.

He added that the whole programme had given a clear indication of the benefits of involving people and demonstrating the advantage of all parties working together as a team and breaking down the 'them and us' thinking.

'People are our most valuable asset and enable our business to be successful,' he said. 'We need to identify further opportunities where we can actively provide support to our people so they can play a greater part in the development of the business.'

l Pictured right is factory manager Paul Tomkies at the computer with tutor Geoff Mills.

Picture by Ian Snell