National Awards recognise a winning partnership

A programme to develop both the University of Wolverhampton and ZF Lemforder UK has led to a big win in the National EEF Awards.

The partnership between ZF Lemforder UK Ltd and the University was recognised at the recent Engineering Employers’ Federation Future Manufacturing Awards for 2014.

ZF Lemforder UK, a Darlaston-based manufacturer of components and systems for the automotive industries, has been working with the University of Wolverhampton and Walsall College to develop an in-house training centre for staff.

The four-year partnership was set up to develop lifelong and work-based learning programmes within the tier one automotive supply company.

The partnership and developments of the company’s training programme resulted in the organisations being announced as the winners of the Developing People Award.

The EEF Future Manufacturing Award Ceremony and Gala Dinner took place on Wednesday, 15 April at the Grand Connaught Rooms in Covent Gardens, London.

The partnership scheme proved to be a triumphant success with 208 employees completing the fundamental skills training including 132 production staff.

Head of Work-based Learning, Dr Alison Felce said: “The EEF Awards was a great experience and it was an honour to be part of the team accepting our award.

“This partnership has opened up many excellent opportunities and has enabled us both to “develop”, expand and work towards more future successes.

“The work we have done so far has made a significant impact on both organisations and their employees”.

Terry Somerfield, Managing Director of ZF Lemforder said: “We are incredibly proud to have been able to work with the University of Wolverhampton to develop a training programme for our employees, which have turned out to be hugely successful.

“This was an important cause for both organisations to work for because we both want our employees to succeed and develop.

“Hard working and talented employees are crucial for a company to run successfully and we wanted to introduce a programme that would recognise just how much effort our employees put into what they do”  

Award winners were announced on the night following the decisions made by judges from each of the nominee categories. The judging panel consisted of University Academics and Business representatives.

The judges’ commented that the winner was: “ A fantastic story of an established workforce overcoming the challenges of new technology.

“A clear delivery plan and timetable of training showing depth of impact helped to strengthen the strategy, alongside the formation of relationships between the business and the partnering university.

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For more information please contact Iyma Atiq in the Media Relations Office on 01902 32 2448.