We provide training to create motivated, effective teams 

We want our employees to be good at what they do, and we support them in their career development. We continuously encourage them to progress through training, which is firmly embedded in all our businesses. This encourages and supports personal and career development, in turn bringing employees greater job satisfaction. . As the business grows the range of new opportunities increases, allowing us to offer people more varied careers. This also means we develop and retain key people to allow us to grow the business. Our overall employee retention rate during 2009 was 84% (2008:82%) just below industry average which in 2009 was 84.3% (CIPD).

Training

Our managers develop individually tailored career paths for our employees, delivering training through the most appropriate channel. Through our skills programme we offer a range of core skills courses, focusing on developing skills and knowledge to help our employees meet the challenges of their job. The programme also gives our employees access to personal development courses. In 2009, we invested £11.9m in employee training, providing 4,100 training days for our employees. Wherever possible training is delivered fully, or partially online. In addition to formal training, many employees receive workplace training, coaching or group instruction and we actively encourage knowledge sharing across the Group.

We also sponsor our employees to undertake professional qualifications. Currently 16.75% (2008: 18%) of our employees are being sponsored to undertake a professional qualification in their relevant field, and 24.5% of employees are involved in ongoing specific professional training.

Vocational learning

Our Vocational Learning programme, helps employees who want to gain vocational qualifications. Since the programme was introduced in 2007, over 1,000 employees have taken part and achieved qualifications. We will continue to expand the programme across the Capita businesses over the next year.

In 2009 we signed up to the Skills Pledge which is a public commitment to improve employees’ skills and help them gain qualifications. This underlines the Company’s commitment to personal development and creating a motivated workforce.

We continue not only to support the development of our people but also support the development of young people in our local communities by being involved in projects such as the Work Inspiration campaign and Backing Young Britain