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More than 24,000 Morrisons employees are to receive their vocational qualifications this week in the largest graduation of its kind. Having trained these 24,000 butchers, bakers, greengrocers and fishmongers to QCF Level 2, Morrisons is now pledging to extend the programme across the entire spectrum of supermarket jobs.

EdExcel, the awarding authority, says the number of individuals receiving the awards this week is ‘unprecedented’. It is taking on extra staff to prepare certificates for Morrisons colleagues. Of the 24,000 a record-breaking 3,500 employees will also be awarded a retail/modern apprenticeship.

A further 2,000 colleagues have also signed up for the apprenticeship programme. Morrisons wants to lead the retail trade in building craft skills among its people – it already trains more bakers, butchers and fishmongers than any other retailer. It is on track to train 100,000 people to QCF Level 2 by 2011 through its Academy as part of a multi-phased roll-out.

The next phase will see the training programme targeted at the Cafe’, Canteen, Petrol, Wines & Spirits, Warehouse and Home & Leisure departments. By next year Morrisons will be training cleaners, checkout operators and grocery staff to the same level.

Norman Pickavance, Group HR Director for Morrisons, said: “We believe Morrisons can gain a competitive advantage by having the best trained staff. For example, we want our butchers to skillfully produce meat to a customer’s specification and be able to advise them on how to cook it. Our customers will go home happier as a result.”

Mr Pickavance continued: “We also want Morrisons to be seen as the best employer in the food trade and training forms an important part of our offer to employees. We want to take this opportunity to congratulate all our hardworking staff who have achieved the QCF Level 2 and apprenticeships.”

Trevor Luker, Managing Director Pearson Work Based Learning commented: “Morrisons is a leading example of a retailer committed to helping its staff fulfill their full potential. Pearson Work Based Learning have worked with Morrisons to ensure that each QCF level 2 is specifically tailored to make it relevant to each employee. In setting a target to train 100,000 staff by 2011, they have set a great example to other employers and demonstrated a fantastic commitment to training and development.”