AN award for a local company is certainly worth the paper it is written on!

Georgia Pacific, which has a site in Stubbins Lane, Ramsbottom, was rewarded at the first Manchester Employer Coalition Awards 2005 for putting its staff first. The firm, which manufactures paper products such as Nouvelle, Kitten Soft and Lotus Thirst Pockets, received the Lifelong Learning Employer of the Year award at the ceremony held at The Lowry Hotel.

The accolade recognises companies who "grow their own talent" by investing in their most valuable asset, their employees.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive and the Renaissance Hotel, Manchester, were also shortlisted for the award. Georgia Pacific embarked on a company-wide staff development programme for their entire workforce based at their sites in Horwich, Bryn, near Wigan, and Ramsbottom in 2002 as the business became the leading supplier of paper products to the retail sector.

Together with Wigan & Leigh College and suppliers H&H Developing Management, Restart HR Services and Myers & Myers Associates, the company designed a programme to ensure that all members of the workforce would be trained up to receive a minimum NVQ level 2.

Mr Richard Collinge, human resources manager, said: "Georgia Pacific is committed to the continuation of their staff development with programmes planned for the extension of the Combined Working Practices NVQ2 and 3 and opportunities to progress to NVQ3 Administration and Level 3, 4 and 5 management qualifications.

"Since the programmes began there have been significant increases in quality levels and unit output; and significant waste reduction. And, as a result of the improved skill set of the workforce, the business is introducing new products and investment into the sites as it recognises that the workforce is more flexible and can deal with change. This new learning culture is driving the performance of both individuals and the business itself."