Summary report due in June 2008. Reserve your copy

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• Volunteering
• Training
• Engagement
• Health and safety
• Procurement
• Environmental performance

The individual training needs of our Head Office people are reviewed during the appraisal process. Training provided to employees in 2007 included accountancy, auditing, communication, corporate responsibility and IT. Our local property managers also arrange training for on-site teams and service providers to ensure that they have the necessary skills to fulfil their roles.

The Source at Meadowhall provides training for all 370 Shopping Centre staff. Its award winning training programme supports disadvantaged members of the community in an area with low skill levels. A one week induction programme provides new staff with essential knowledge and skills including customer services training, equality and diversity guidance, ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 briefings, resource use advice and a CIEH Award in Health and Safety. Staff then progress up a six month training ladder, followed by clear progression routes for continuing professional development. Opportunities for tailored training courses and accredited qualifications include Level 2 Literacy qualifications for those with low basic skills levels and language support for staff from an ethnic background who speak English as an additional language. The training programme increases the confidence and competence of staff, embeds self-improvement and encourages teamwork, all of which contribute towards an effective workforce.

I have worked at Meadowhall for the past 12 months. Since taking up this position I have been on waste management courses and it has made me more aware of how important it is to recycle as much waste as possible. I feel good about what I do because I am doing my bit to help the environment.

Stanley Dutton, Recycling Operative

Following the opening of the Learning Centre at Eastgate Shopping Centre in 2003, everybody working in the Centre has access to a range of courses. This joint initiative between the Centre and Thurrock and Basildon College provides training opportunities including IT, languages, basic skills, customer service, stock control, security and Health and Safety. Everybody involved with customer service is offered the Shoppers In Need training programme. This raises awareness of the difficulties that visitors with various disabilities face while shopping. All members of the security team have First Aid training and defibrillator knowledge to deal with potential coronary situations. Three are also trained as “First Responders” and are able to use oxygen, providing an on call service to deal with emergency situations in Basildon 24 hours a day. In 2007 150 members of Eastgate management, staff and retailers received environmental awareness training for the workplace and home.

 

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