INVEST Northern Ireland has helped Omagh-based manufacturing company Terex Finlay to save £1.2 million by supporting a major training initiative. The company manufactures mobile crushing, screening, washing and recycling equipment for a range of industries including construction and mining.

Invest NI assistance was provided for the training programme and around 200 employees were awarded a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) as a result.

The qualifications included Engineering Production Levels 2 and 3, as well as Technical Services Level 2. Engineering Training Council (ETC) Assessor Awards were also presented to a number of employees.

Invest NI's Director of Business Improvement Services, Victor Jordan, said, "Companies can increase profitability by training their staff to eliminate unnecessary costs and engage in continuous improvement. Terex Finlay has a high quality workforce and this investment in staff training is an example of how a focused training initiative can deliver reaping major financial benefits."

The programme concentrated on introducing employees to a range of world-class manufacturing techniques. The newly developed skills have led directly to reductions in manufacturing times and maintenance costs along with significant falls in inventory levels."

Paul O'Donnell, General Manager at Terex Finlay, said, "The support for staff training provided by Invest NI has been essential in maintaining and improving the high level of skills of our staff. We realise from investing in our people that there is a positive return in terms of workforce motivation and satisfaction, which can lead to greater outputs in the longer term."