At the request of BASF Management, the Skills Academy was asked to provide a comprehensive Skills Assurance assessment of the level of competence for Operating Staff at its Bradford andGrimsbysites against the independently verified Gold Standard, a competency framework for the process industries

BASF has a well-established commitment to training and development, but recognised that theSkillsAcademycould bring an objective approach to its skills and training infrastructure.

In parallel the Academy examined the training infrastructure at BASF sites in Bradford andGrimsby, making a comparison of the training material, standard operating procedures and assessment packs used to develop and maintain competence.

The competence assessment was tackled via a two-pronged approach. Firstly the training infrastructure was analysed using the ASET (Assessment System for Employer Training) tool and at the same time a Training Needs Analysis (TNA) exercise was undertaken. The TNA involved interviewing selected staff members to assess their level of competence against the Gold Standard role profiles.

The TNA identified a lack of process knowledge and interventions have now been put into place, including several employees receiving BIT training (Business Improvement Techniques) Level 2 training, which helped to reduce significant amounts of waste throughout their processes. Several employees have since gone on further to study BIT Level 3 and this has also led to further cost savings. A Shift Manager said,"We have been really impressed with the training that has been put into practice, the Skills Academy helped to identify funding and they also connected us with an Academy Accredited Training Provider….Since the BIT training the whole place looks and feels different."

Representatives from a number of areas were interviewed as part of the overall site review, covering production, process support, warehousing and engineering. This formed an informal focus group, providing an overview of the training structure, delivery mechanisms, assessment processes and recording and monitoring systems.

BASF has since gone on to recruit a training manager responsible for the management of training at both sites, as recommend by theSkillsAcademy. As a result of BASF's commitment and dedication to skills and training the company has been named on the Cogent Gold Standard Roll of Honour.