Encirc’s two-pronged approach to development secures skills, productivity boost and an award

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Encirc collects the Glass Focus Award for Strengthening Business through People

Container glass manufacturer Encirc outshone the competition to win the Glass Focus Award 2017 for Strengthening Business through People – sponsored by Glass Futures – for its work to tackle skills gaps and ensure every employee can realise their full potential.

The annual Glass Focus Awards – organised by British Glass and supported by Glass Worldwide – were held this year at the Royal Armouries in Leeds, at the centre of the country’s east-west glass manufacturing corridor where nine out of ten of the UK’s largest glass manufacturers have production sites.

In the Strengthening Business through People category – one of seven awards made on the night – the judging panel was looking for clear efforts to promote the future competitiveness of the industry by supporting the development and diversity of its talent pipeline.

Encirc’s entry focussed on its work to tackle two challenges – ensuring its access to skilled glass formers and allowing all team members at Encirc to realise their potential and, in turn, contribute to overall productivity. Their two-pronged initiative used both easy-to-access learning for the wider workforce and intensive three-year technical training for hand-picked talent.

Fiacre O’Donnell, head of strategic development at Encirc, commented: 

“Having skilled, engaged workers is of course essential to making these types of changes across the business and the award we took home is a testament to the substance of our employees. "

The award was presented by Dr Catherine Birch of the Institute of Food Science and Innovation at the University of Chester – who works to share knowledge and build engagement with industry. She explained that the judges had been particularly impressed by the work described in Encirc’s entry because it identified and addressed skills shortages; improved staff morale as well as strengthening proficiency; and demonstrated impressive increases in productivity and efficiency.

This award was sponsored by Glass Futures, a new not-for-profit global centre of excellence for glass R&D, innovation and training. With its 30 tonnes-per-day production facility it will act as a hub for collaboration between academia and industry.

Brian McMillan, chairman of Glass Futures Ltd Advisory Board said:

“Glass Futures is very pleased to support the Strengthening Business through People award.  One of our key aims is to ensure increased productivity and sustainability in the sector.  Having people with appropriate skills is essential to achieving success and development in the glass industry.”

British Glass CEO, Dave Dalton said:

“Glass manufacturing and technology offers fascinating roles. To remain competitive and progressive our industry needs a workforce that’s properly trained for them – with technical, commercial, management and leadership skills. It’s great to see companies investing in that talent pipeline – and right that we should recognise that through the Glass Focus Awards. Encirc deserve to be congratulated for the work they are putting into staff development, and the results they are achieving.”

Find out about the other winners.

 

Notes

British Glass is the industry’s representative body – providing insight, intelligence and leadership. It works with all parts of the supply chain to ensure that glass manufacturing, particularly in the UK, has the resources, influence and skills to remain commercially successful, innovative and sustainable. www.britglass.co.uk

The Glass Focus Awards are an annual event organised by British Glass and supported by Glass Worldwide. Each year the awards recognise and celebrate excellence across the glass industry.

Encirc provides container glass manufacturing, filling and logistics. It operates from sites in Elton, Cheshire and Derrylin in Northern Ireland. www.encirc360.com