The power of training

By Pam McClounie

Last updated 13:14, Tuesday, 26 August 2008

DUMFRIES and Galloway College is working with Chapelcross Power Station to offer free computer and work book-based training programmes to its staff.

Learning: John Magill, of Dumfries and Galloway College Community/Schools Liaison Officer, presents to Chaplecross staff.

Employees have already signed up for over 100 courses, which are due to begin this week, with many more expected to follow suit.

The courses, Mind Leaders, Up for Learning and Learning Bytes, will offer training programmes in Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point, and will be delivered via a mixture of online and workbook based learning.

Based in Annan, Chapelcross Power Station employs more than 400 staff and has stood in the Dumfries community since 1959.

The Chapelcross Training Team identified a need for many of its staff to enhance their computing knowledge and contacted Dumfries and Galloway College after reading about the free Learning For All courses on offer.

Paul Rae, training assessor at Chapelcross, said: “It is essential that we continue to move forward with technology.

“Not all our employees are confident with using computers to carry out tasks. The training offered through the college seemed an ideal opportunity to help these people and many others enhance the skills they already have.”

Chapelcross staff signed up to the courses following recent information sessions ran by Dumfries and Galloway College.

Carol Turnbull, assistant principal for external development said: “Dumfries and Galloway College were pleased to support this initiative which demonstrates the college’s commitment to working with local employers such as Chapelcross Power Station to ensure that the learning and skills needs of the workforce are met.”

PMcClounie@cngroup.co.uk