During 2008 our U.K. based Training Assessment Scheme, commonly known as TAS, was developed to determine competency in the workplace. It first began in our Polymer and Polyester plants, however due to the schemes success it has since moved across almost all areas of our U.K manufacturing site, including the quality control laboratory and the engineering teams.

Assessment is carried out by our qualified assessors, supported by a team of internal verifiers. They each hold a Level 3 award in ‘Assessing Competence in the Workplace’ and a Level 4 award in ‘Internal Quality Assurance’ respectively. The team of assessors evaluate the candidate’s performance and knowledge against the Standard Operating Procedures in the workplace.

From the start it was vital that the scheme added value for both the candidate as well as Scott Bader. To date the scheme has supported 58 U.K. based operational candidates in achieving their qualification, which is equivalent to a Level 2 in the old NVQ system. Many candidates are now working towards a second certificate to achieve greater flexibility within a multi-disciplined workforce.

The scheme is externally verified by the awarding body, Consuta. Consuta representative Chris Little says: “It is important that companies have competent people and seeing Scott Bader embrace this scheme as part of their vision is a wonderful example of best practice. Consuta is proud to have been involved for the past 10 years. We wish Scott Bader success with the scheme going forward.”

We are now working on the next stage of TAS by expanding the scheme into two new departments and doubling the number of internal verifiers. We are also ensuring all team leaders are trained as assessors. All assessment materials are being reviewed and updated to reflect best practices and include our 2036 Vision.

Sam Boustred, Operational Development Coordinator and current manager of the TAS scheme, says: “The future of TAS is very much linked with the Scott Bader 2036 Vision. Firstly ‘acting beyond compliance’ through TAS is achieved by going beyond a simple skills matrix and is externally verified with an awarding body. Secondly ‘unleashing colleagues’ potential’ TAS gives colleagues the very best start in the business by giving them the skills and in-depth knowledge of the area they work in”.