With the food standards agency (fsa) reporting a 78% increase in the number of food and beverage product recalls, sidel has highlighted the importance of training to achieve effective food and bevera
18 April 2016
12/04/2016
Investing in the skills of operatives working on a PETbottling line can bring a fast return on investment (ROI) and offersubstantial contributions in a number of areas. In additionto helping improve food safety and hygiene, it can lower total costof ownership (TCO) of a line, inspire a proactive work culture and,through personalised training programmes, focus on the specificneeds identified for a given line.
Commenting on the value of training, specifically with regard toproduct safety, Frederic Sailly, Executive Vice Presidentfor Product Management and Development at Sidel, said - "Foodand beverage safety is a fundamental requirement, where compromiseis not an option, either for us or for our customers. Linesproducing aseptic and sensitive products can be particularlychallenging in this respect. In addition to the dedicatedcourses we have for these beverage categories, we also offercustomised food safety training and recommendations for the entireline."
The portfolio of more than 350 Sidel training courses is nowlisted online and includes blowing, filling (including aseptic andsensitive), Sidel's Combi machines, labelling, conveying, packing,and palletising, as well as competence audits and technicalmanagerial training.
Increasing performance through investing inskills
Reducing TCO is a focus for all beverage producers and trainingprovides the opportunity to contribute to this by minimisingdowntime, improving health and safety and reducing wastage. Effective training, which enhances employees' operating skills andunderstanding of the PET bottling line, can improve reaction timeand the ability to repair equipment in-house, thereby reducingcostly stops in production. It can also lead to improvedproduction levels through faster line and format changeovers, aswell as increased equipment efficiency. Improving knowledge ofhealth and safety processes in operatives means less accidentswhile reducing the potential for poor quality production leads toless wastage, all of which contributes to reducing costs and afaster ROI.
Flexible approach to optimise investment
Flexibility is a central feature of Sidel'straining portfolio. Recognising that customers each haveunique beverage products, different local production environmentsand individual requirements, training is tailored to specificneeds. Through Sidel's competence audits, a clear picture ofemployee roles, skills and abilities can be established, allowingtargeted investments in training which maximises employeepotential.
Training can be offered either on-site at a customer's premisesor at one of Sidel's eight global training centres, with an opensharing and learning environment encouraged as Sidel do not havecompetitors attending a training session in the same room. The training portfolio covers all stages of the PET bottling line'slifecycle to maintain, regain and improve line performance.
Ease of access to training and the capacity to select theappropriate course from such a wide ranging selection is alsoimportant. Sidel has addressed this with the introduction ofits training portfolio online, with a simple filter option allowingcustomers to see the content of the courses and select the one thatbest suits their needs. Luigi Armani, Technical Training Directorat Sidel, comments - "It is about maximising the potential of staffand equipment to achieve lower total cost of ownership. Thesearch facility is easy to navigate and designed specifically tomatch the right course with given training requirements. There are training courses to fit all functions, regardless ofskill level, from technical training and line management to productmanagement, safety and environment."
Real value in the workplace
The prime objective of Sidel's training programmes is to enablebeverage producers to become experts on their own productionlines. Practical training is therefore very much afocus. Courses are based on active teaching methods whichinclude basic skills training supported by multi-media tools andpractical activities. The company's instructors all have manyyears of operational and mechanical field experience astechnicians. Sidel also recognises that training is a two-waycommunication and adapts its courses based on the challenges of itscustomers.
Sidel trains over 5,000 people each year in multiple languagesworldwide, with participants giving the training a 96% satisfactionrating. The courses include information on the latestdevelopments, increasing the knowledge of the production team andencouraging a more motivated, engaged and committed approach toachieving production targets through a more proactive workculture. This results in greater job satisfaction and helpswith employee retention.
