Pictured above: Adams Foods staff  (on stairs) Olga Dmitrijeva, Muhammad Bilal, David Tatton, Andrew Wilton, Lee Morrall, Robert  Wilson, with (left to right) Stoke-on-Trent College's Raymond Di Stefano, Adams Foods' Jacky Popiolkowski and Rob Smith, Wendy Gajda, Malcolm Haynes and Andy Greenhough, all of Stoke-on-Trent College

One of the Staffordshire Moorlands biggest employers is celebrating the outstanding learning achievements of its staff.

A total of 57 people at the Leek-based headquarters of Adams Foods took centre-stage this week for the presentation of certificates to mark their success with Stoke-on-Trent College.  

The 57 production operatives all achieved an NVQ Level 2 qualification in manufacturing operations, administration or warehousing, and Stoke-on-Trent College's Director of Employer Engagement Andy Greenhough along with UK HR director at Adams Foods, Jacky Popiolkowski, presented certificates to the high-flying students. 

The training was delivered on site to fit in with staff members' shift patterns and has proved so popular that already 50 more people are signed up to study for their NVQ.

Said Andy Greenhough: "Stoke-on-Trent College works closely with many companies across North Staffordshire to make sure their biggest asset - their employees - are equipped with the knowledge to support business growth. 

"We have worked alongside Adams Foods for several years now to develop tailored training packages.  Continuing professional development is important to them and we are now developing a number of other innovative programmes including health and safety and an entrepreneurs course. 

"The NVQ training was taught on site at Adams Foods headquarters at times to suit the different shift workers - which is common practice for our training teams.

"We are delighted to be working with Adams Foods to ensure employees are recognised for their achievements and hopefully many of these staff will be spurred on to continue developing and learning." 

Jacky Popiolkowski, UK HR director at Adams Foods added: "We are very proud of all the staff who achieved their NVQ qualifications.  As a forward-looking business we invest a great deal of time and money into training our staff and we are thrilled that so many chose to formalise this training by studying for the award."

"Stoke-on-Trent College has proved an excellent partner in supporting the business over a number of years and understand the importance of helping us to create a highly-trained workforce to make a strong business for the future."