BRETT WARBURTON OPENS ADULT LEARNING CENTRE AT NEWPORT BAKERY

A new learning centre, aimed at encouraging staff at Warburtons Newport bakery to take up further education courses online, has been officially opened by fifth generation family member and executive director, Brett Warburton.

The new centre contains computers with broadband access and is open to all 130 staff to use during their breaks, lunch time and even on their days off. The Newport site is the ninth Warburtons bakery to open a learning centre, which has been named the Beacon Suite by bakery operative Ian Forward. The Bakers Food & Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) has contributed towards the learning centre, providing funds for the computers and staff training.

Brett Warburton said: “Employee training and development is very important to the company, therefore we’re extremely proud to open another Learning Centre this time at Newport. Our employees are at the heart of our success and we are committed to helping all our workers develop their skills and achieve their full potential both in and outside the working environment.”

Newport bakery’s general manager, Craig Morris, added: “In a rapidly changing world it is important that everyone has the opportunity to develop new skills to meet new challenges. I’m sure it will play an important role in enabling employees to master new skills and fulfill their individual potential.”

Brett Warburton was joined by Margaret McCabe, senior skills development manager for the Welsh Assembly Government’s Wales Union Learning Fund, employees from the Newport bakery, and representatives from BFAWU and Coleg Gwent.