A Bumper Year at VWA
2018 was yet another bumper year for Verner Wheelock. We ran more in-house courses at customers’ premises than ever before. Plus, demand was such on certain open courses that we were running two, and even three, courses concurrently here in Skipton. You certainly kept us busy! But that’s just the way we like to be.
This year’s courses are already filling up quickly, so don’t forget to check out our 2019 training calendar to book your place.
Last year was a great year for the ethical side of our business too. Our team of professional auditors undertook several ethical audits and provided Ethical Trading Workshop and Works Council training. Perhaps the most exciting news in this area, though, was our acquisition of the Keith Stamp Social Auditing (KSSA) company.
Keith had worked with Verner Wheelock for several years as a Lead Ethical Auditor, and will continue to do so, but was looking to take a step back and spend more time with his family. We purchased KSSA in March 2018 and have been delighted with the feedback received from customers both new and existing.
To find out more about our ethical audit offering, please click here.
Verner’s Book
Dr Verner Wheelock, our chairman, turned 80 years old in November, but retirement couldn’t be further from his mind. He has spent the past couple of years writing and researching a new book about the benefits of a low carb diet. Entitled ‘Healthy Eating: The Big Mistake’, it was published in January and has been very well received. You can buy a copy on Amazon. Verner also runs a regular Low Carb group in Skipton for people with diabetes.
New Faces
If you’ve been to one of our courses in Skipton, the chances are that you’ll have met the latest addition to the Training Support team. Rhyanna Pearson joined in August as Training Support Assistant, working closely with Amberley. She has taken to the role like a duck to water and has proved herself to be a real asset to the team. Like Amberley, she previously worked as a baker, so has been rustling up some delicious treats for us too.
We also welcomed a new trainer in 2018. Julie Ryan actually won our Verner Wheelock ‘Auditing Student of the Year’ award for 2017. She took the plunge to become a trainer after several years working in the technical department of a bakery and already had plenty of experience of in-house training. Customer feedback has been great and as well as being a really good trainer, she’s also a lovely person.
Customer feedback has been great and as well as being a really good trainer, she’s also a lovely person.
If you like the idea of becoming a trainer, our Level 3 Award in Education and Training course is a very good starting point.
BRC Issue 8 – New Course
In August the British Retail Consortium published the latest edition of their BRC Global Standard for Food Safety. There were some significant additions in the new Issue 8 so, as we have done in previous years, we began running BRC Issue 7 to 8 conversion courses, so companies would know what to expect when they are audited against it from February onwards.
Eleanor Nicholls, one of our longstanding auditing trainers, is an Approved Training Partner who is able to deliver the official BRC Food Safety Issue 7 to 8 Conversion for Sites course, so delegates can now receive a BRC certificate when they pass the examination.
Our next BRC Issue 8 courses are on 28th February and 26th March.
It’s Awards Season
RSPH Hygeia Awards
We’re happy to report that once again a Verner Wheelock delegate won the prize for Food Safety & Hygiene at the RSPH’s annual Hygeia Awards. Lynn-Anne Allinson, a Raw Material Specialist from Symington’s in Leeds, attained the highest marks in the Level 4 Food Safety & Hygiene examination.
Lynn-Anne was unable to attend the Awards in London, so Rachel, our Marketing Manager, received the Award from TV personality, Natasha Kaplinsky, in her place.
Verner Wheelock Awards
It’s almost time for our annual Verner Wheelock Excellence Awards.
HACCP Student of the Year
Nattakan Pinyopat, Warburtons
Food Safety Student of the Year
Kerrie Borthwick, Loch Fyne Oysters
Individual Excellence Award
Brandon Green, Ornua Ingredients
Company Excellence Award
Shepherd’s Purse Cheeses
The 2018 Award winners will be announced in a couple of weeks’ time, so watch this space.