Specialist car finance group, The Funding Corporation, has demonstrated its commitment to investing in its employees by offering them the chance to gain work-based qualifications through West Cheshire College.

With 18 members of staff completing NVQs, the company has boosted business methods and staff morale as well as providing learning development to those who want to improve their job skills.

Delivered by West Cheshire College, staff have taken on courses in business administration, customer service and contact centre operations, studying for NVQs alongside their full-time jobs.

Dawn Crank, Training Manager at The Funding Corporation, said: "Offering our employees the chance to gain a qualification whilst working has been hugely beneficial.

"Not only has it increased the confidence of our staff and strengthened the ways in which they are doing their roles, but it has shown that we are keen to invest in and support our workforce.

"We started working with West Cheshire College in 2008 and they have provided us with a great service. The staff enjoyed the structure of the course and the tutors are some of the best we have had. I hope our partnership continues to be as successful."

Rosie Foster, Commercial Advisor at West Cheshire College, said: "We are thrilled that the courses delivered to The Funding Corporation have been so well received. It is great for the College to be part of such a successful initiative and we hope to extend these training courses to other businesses in the area."

The success of this programme comes as the Association of Colleges (AoC) highlights the value that College training provides to employers as part of Colleges Week (8-14 November 2011).

Jayne Smith, Head of Commercial Services at West Cheshire College, said: “The relationship that the College has developed with The Funding Corporation is a great example of how Further Education colleges provide high quality yet cost-effective training to local employers.”

West Cheshire College’s delivers world-class training tailored to meet employer needs across the region and works with clients such as Bank of America, Merseytravel, Unilever and United Utilities.

For more information call the College employer hotline on 01244 670499.

Notes to Editors:

Colleges Week 2010 takes place between 8-14 November and has been running for three years. It is the education sector’s major showcase for the vital role that Colleges play in providing people of all ages and businesses in the UK with the opportunities they need to succeed.