Albion finished second in this year’s VQ Large Employer of the Year award for England, in recognition of the outstanding support it has provided to its matchday stewards undertaking vocational qualifications (VQs).
The club was shortlisted alongside Ford, McDonald's, Homebase and Veolia (waste management) – who scooped the top prize.
For the last six seasons, the club has worked in partnership with Sussex Downs College to assist its matchday stewards to achieve the Level 2 Certificate in Spectator Safety qualification and was ‘Highly Commended’ on Tuesday night.
This is in addition to the mandatory training that is delivered to all stewards, and gives individuals the opportunity to confirm their practical competence against nationally recognised criteria. It also offers the potential for progression to more senior positions within the club.
Upon moving to the Amex Stadium in July 2011, the number of stewards significantly increased from 100 to 500. To meet the increased demand and higher expectations of supporters, the club also increased the number of stewards able to work towards their Level 2 Certificate.
It also emphasised the importance of delivering quality customer service, with the introduction of an additional learning module.
Since moving to the Amex, the club has won a number of national and international awards and received very positive feedback from individual supporters and visiting clubs.
Albion safety officer, Chris Baker, said, “We’re thrilled that our investment in people and vocational learning has been recognised in this way. We know how important vocational learning is in helping our stewards reach their full potential, as well as delivering real benefits to the football club as a whole.
“As a professional football club, the safety of supporters, partners and employees is paramount and we have no doubt that the investment in stewards has enhanced our practice and contributed significantly to the excellent teamwork ethos we have at the club.”
From 16 year olds to those over 60, VQ Day celebrates the acquisition of new skills and encourages parity of esteem between high quality vocational qualifications and academic ones.
Jan Hodges, CEO of the Edge Foundation, added, “It is important to recognise the UK businesses that have successfully embraced and championed technical, practical and work-related skills within their workforce.
“I am delighted that Brighton & Hove Albion has shown this investment in its people, an investment that will pay off in dividends for both individuals and the organisation as a whole. There is a huge range of vocational qualifications available, and people can undertake these at any point in their life.
“Through employers like Brighton & Hove Albion, we can demonstrate how incredibly valuable such qualifications and vocational training can be.”
For more information about VQ Day and the VQ Employer of the Year Awards, please visit www.vqday.org.uk.
Original article
The club was shortlisted alongside Ford, McDonald's, Homebase and Veolia (waste management) – who scooped the top prize.
For the last six seasons, the club has worked in partnership with Sussex Downs College to assist its matchday stewards to achieve the Level 2 Certificate in Spectator Safety qualification and was ‘Highly Commended’ on Tuesday night.
This is in addition to the mandatory training that is delivered to all stewards, and gives individuals the opportunity to confirm their practical competence against nationally recognised criteria. It also offers the potential for progression to more senior positions within the club.
Upon moving to the Amex Stadium in July 2011, the number of stewards significantly increased from 100 to 500. To meet the increased demand and higher expectations of supporters, the club also increased the number of stewards able to work towards their Level 2 Certificate.
It also emphasised the importance of delivering quality customer service, with the introduction of an additional learning module.
Since moving to the Amex, the club has won a number of national and international awards and received very positive feedback from individual supporters and visiting clubs.
Albion safety officer, Chris Baker, said, “We’re thrilled that our investment in people and vocational learning has been recognised in this way. We know how important vocational learning is in helping our stewards reach their full potential, as well as delivering real benefits to the football club as a whole.
“As a professional football club, the safety of supporters, partners and employees is paramount and we have no doubt that the investment in stewards has enhanced our practice and contributed significantly to the excellent teamwork ethos we have at the club.”
From 16 year olds to those over 60, VQ Day celebrates the acquisition of new skills and encourages parity of esteem between high quality vocational qualifications and academic ones.
Jan Hodges, CEO of the Edge Foundation, added, “It is important to recognise the UK businesses that have successfully embraced and championed technical, practical and work-related skills within their workforce.
“I am delighted that Brighton & Hove Albion has shown this investment in its people, an investment that will pay off in dividends for both individuals and the organisation as a whole. There is a huge range of vocational qualifications available, and people can undertake these at any point in their life.
“Through employers like Brighton & Hove Albion, we can demonstrate how incredibly valuable such qualifications and vocational training can be.”
For more information about VQ Day and the VQ Employer of the Year Awards, please visit www.vqday.org.uk.
Original article