Client Overview
Kirklees Council is a local authority providing essential services to the community, including environmental, social, and infrastructure support. As part of their ongoing commitment to maintaining high standards of safety and operational excellence, the council requires specialised training for its workforce across various technical disciplines.
The Challenge
Boss Training Ltd has been delivering training for Kirklees Council since 2016, covering a wide range of courses, including but not limited to:
- Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP) Training with the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF)
- Mobile Scaffold Training with the Prefabricated Access Suppliers & Manufacturers Association (PASMA)
- Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB)
Over this period, we have trained approximately 3,000 delegates across 20+ course categories.
A significant challenge early on was a lack of understanding among Kirklees Council staff about the specific course details, suitability, and requirements. This led to potential issues such as incorrect or inappropriate bookings. Additionally, delegate attendance was initially low, with many staff members arriving late or failing to attend due to communication barriers between departments throughout the booking process.
Our Approach
To address these challenges, Boss Training Ltd implemented a series of tailored solutions to ensure smooth course delivery, improve booking accuracy, and boost attendance rates:
- Account Management and Clarity: Our dedicated account management team worked closely with Kirklees Council to improve the booking process. By engaging with training coordinators to clarify the exact training needs and confirming course details in non-technical terms, we minimised misunderstandings and significantly reduced booking errors. As a result, booking inaccuracies were kept below 1% across all courses.
- Improved Communication and Attendance: Recognising the issue of low attendance and late arrivals, we implemented a proactive approach by sending frequent reminders directly to delegates before each course. Additionally, we introduced monthly reports listing all upcoming courses, which were sent to the Kirklees Council Organisation Development Department for integration into their internal schedules. These measures ensured staff were better prepared and more likely to attend their training sessions on time, reducing the number of rebookings and the associated costs.
The Outcome
Our ongoing partnership with Kirklees Council has yielded numerous positive outcomes:
- Improved Booking Accuracy: By clarifying course details and engaging directly with training coordinators, we maintained a booking inaccuracy rate of less than 0.5%, ensuring that the council’s training needs were met with precision.
- Increased Attendance and Reduced Costs: The introduction of pre-course reminders and monthly course reports significantly improved attendance rates and timeliness. This not only enhanced training effectiveness but also resulted in cost savings by reducing the number of missed sessions and rebookings.
- Efficient Management: Our bespoke processes, including pre-emptive reminders and clear communication channels, reduced pressure on Kirklees Council’s management, allowing them to focus on other priorities while we handled the logistics of training delivery.
- Wide Training Coverage: Over the years, Boss Training Ltd successfully serviced approximately 3,000 delegates across 20+ course categories, ensuring that Kirklees Council’s workforce received the essential training required to maintain operational safety and compliance.
Conclusion
Boss Training Ltd’s partnership with Kirklees Council has been marked by a commitment to improving training processes, enhancing communication, and reducing costs. By implementing tailored solutions to address booking inaccuracies, low attendance, and logistical challenges, we have provided Kirklees Council with a more efficient, effective training program. This collaboration has not only reduced management pressure but also resulted in significant cost savings while servicing a large number of staff across a wide range of courses.