CALL centres are often viewed as low-skilled places of work with no career progression.

However, Kirkby-based Anthony Donald Evans has focused on training as it looks to develop its business.

After an initial meeting with Business Link Northwest skills adviser Neil Gardener two years ago, the firm’s HR director, Lyndsey Evans, has seen real benefits within the company from the partnership.

She said: “We hadn’t looked at training before we met Neil, due to spending our time concentrating on establishing the business, but we knew we wanted to make it a fundamental part of our recruitment and retention process.

“Having Business Link on board has benefited our business – it’s made us more profitable and enabled us to train our staff, which in turn gives them pride in their work and themselves and this helps them to be more productive.”

Training, part-funded by the Train to Gain scheme, has enabled 40 staff to work towards NVQs in business administration, customer service, health and safety and first aid, while several others have enrolled on courses with the Institute of Leadership and Management.

A lot of the training has been provided by Knowsley College, which also carries out some training on site at the company.

She added: “The training provider’s flexible approach means that we are able to ensure our staff can undergo training, irrespective of their personal situations.

“Not only is the company benefiting from increased staff retention and satisfaction, but the individuals taking part in training also gain so much from it.

“Many of our employees join us straight from school, with often no idea of what career they want to pursue.

“By giving these members of staff opportunities to reach their potential, we’re helping them get a foot on the career ladder.”