A LOCAL company has taken a big step towards improving workplace communication.

Shiloh Spinners at Swan Lane Mill and Bolton's Community Education Service had something to celebrate on National Learning at work Day - part of Adult Learners' Week.

The co-operative venture began three years ago with a training Needs Analysis carried out by Lisa Hajdar of the community education service.

She established the company's training requirements and spoke to employees who needed training and it was agreed that English language skills needed to be improved.

David Whitehead, general manager at Swan Lane Mill, said: "Our own internal needs analysis showed that we had communication problems within the factory.

"The company was moving into speciality yarns which required greater complexity and we needed to ensure that our quality specifications were understood and complied with by everyone."

Lisa's staff run the training course for two hours every week. Shiloh release their employees for one hour and they give an hour of their own.

Lisa said: "Shiloh have been fabulous in providing us with a training room and all the support we needed to run the courses."

Mr Whitehead said: "The employees who attended the courses have more confidence to communicate more effectively inside and outside the factory."

Other companies wishing to talk to Lisa about training needs can contact her on 01204 396772.

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