After one year of running the very successful NVQ pilot within the BP Express network, BP have awarded a contract to Coventry-based JHP Training, to assess their Developing People programme in all BP Express outlets in the UK, as well as dealer/SME outlets. This contract, which is to train 2,000 employees in 1999 is believed to be one of the largest NVQ contracts ever awarded.

The BP Developing People programme has been created to provide staff with a structured induction and training programme which improves their ability to deliver BP market leading customer offer as well as covering the statutory elements of the job role.

JHP Training is a division of JHP Group, one of the largest training, recruitment and business services organisations in the UK. JHP Group has a network of 70 Business Centres nation-wide with over 600 training and assessment staff. JHP has been able to offer BP a one-stop shop whereby all training, administration, funding and assessment is controlled through a single point of contact.

In the first year, BP has found that the NVQ programme has significantly improved staff retention, staff attitude towards training and attracted higher quality recruits.

JHP is now providing managed training services to a wide range of corporate customers, with particular specialisation in the retail, administration, financial services, distribution and healthcare sectors.