Sparkling achievement

29/05/2007

The achievement of water workers in Essex and Suffolk has been recognised.

Essex & Suffolk Water relies on the skills and talent of its people and has rewarded water workers from across the region for gaining a company funded, nationally recognised academic qualification.

Hard work, dedication and motivation were acknowledged at the water company’s skills awards dinner, at Hotel Victoria in Lowestoft, which was attended by special guest and motivational speaker, Olympic gold medallist Kriss Akabusi.

Qualifications attained range from NVQ Level 2 in Contact Centre Operations to a BSc (Hons) degree in Water and Environmental Management.

Customer Team Leader Adam McComb, who is based in Lowestoft, was awarded the NECC Vocational Excellence Award 2007.

Kriss Akabusi added charisma, excitement and energy to the event which showcased top quality employees who help to ensure 1.7 million customers across Essex and Suffolk receive essential top quality water and wastewater services.

Diane Morton, Essex & Suffolk Water’s human resources director, said:  “It was a real pleasure to recognise the exemplary efforts of people who are critical to our business in this way.  Hopefully their achievement will encourage their colleagues.  The skills awards ceremony and dinner is intended to celebrate employees’ success and let them know how proud the company is of their achievement.

“Employee development is a key component of our people plan and we want to support at least 90% of our workforce to achieve at least NVQ Level 2 by 2010.”  

Ends

For further information contact Claire Bishop on 01245 212010.

WINNERS’ QUOTES

Customer team leader Karen Manthorpe who is based in Lowestoft and is from Gorleston said: “It was a fantastic evening and it was great to be able to celebrate everyone's achievements. Kriss Akabusi made the evening such fun!"

Customer team leader Adam McComb who is based in Lowestoft and also lives in the town said: “I was so pleased when I heard that my efforts had been recognised. Receiving this award shows that I work for a company that appreciates its employees.”

Treatment works manager Gary Banks who is based in Layer and lives in Benfleet said:  It was great to see how much the company appreciate the hard work and effort individuals had put in over and above their normal duties to achieve an academic qualification.”

Production team leader Craig Holliday who is based in Layer and lives in Chelmsford said: I feel honoured and very pleased that my hard work and that of my colleagues has been recognised at such a special event.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.”