Benefits for Business and Workers (BBW) project to offer training to professionals

Brands, retailers and exporters gathered last night to launch the Benefits for Business and Workers project ( BBW). The launch was hosted by Mr Barry Lowen, Director, UK Trade and Investment, India, on the lawns of the British High Commission.

The project is sponsored by the UK Department for International Development’s RAGS Challenge Fund, Arcadia, Marks & Spencer, Mothercare, New Look, Sainsbury’s and Tesco and is managed by Impactt and Rajesh Bheda Consulting. BBW offers a new approach to the garment sector, which is currently wrestling with labour and skills shortages and competition from overseas.

BBW will equip Industrial Engineers, Production, HR and welfare managers with the latest management techniques to build efficiency, improve quality and improve workers’ employment conditions through shorter working hours, better pay, better benefits more training and ore promotion opportunities.

Project results are remarkable, with participating factories reporting significant gains. Mr Milton, Managing Director of Cotton Blossom, near Tirupur, said “BBW has completely changed our way of working – we have seen tremendous increases in efficiency, significant quality savings, underpinned by a stable workforce”.

The project will offer training to 100 factories supplying the sponsoring brands during 2012. Barry Lowen said, “BBW is a key contribution to building garment sector competitiveness in terms of productivity, quality and people management.”

Rosey Hurst, Director, Impactt Limited said “Benefits for Business and Workers will support stronger businesses and better jobs, both are vital for a stronger export garment sector”. Rajesh Bheda, CEO of RBC, said “BBW demonstrates how much more potential we have to unlock – this training is a must for any forward-thinking factory owner.”