ArrowXL, the UK’s leading two-person home delivery expert, has launched a dedicated training academy to further enhance service levels for retailers and their customers, whilst also boosting employee engagement. As part of The ArrowXL Development Academy, the company has completed the construction of a purpose-built apartment within its Wigan headquarters that allows specialist delivery crews to train and hone their skills in a real-life environment.
 
The apartment includes a working kitchen, a child’s bedroom and a living room, plus two classroom-style teaching areas. This provides the perfect opportunity for the crews to practice deliveries, as well as the company’s portfolio of in-home solutions, such installing/plumbing white goods, furniture assembly and connecting TVs. ArrowXL has invested £50,000 to build the facility whilst clients such as Feather & Black (bedroom furniture) and Smeg UK (white goods) have also donated popular products for training exercises.
 
All company-wide training programmes will now sit within The ArrowXL Development Academy, including those relating to health and safety, leadership and management development, and compliance. All new starters will also have a tailored induction at the academy, including delivery crew members, who will partake in a two-day core programme and a two-day assembly induction for those performing in-home Platinum services. In addition, the company expects all existing employees to take part in a re-induction at the Academy before the end of this year.
 
Peter Scraton, People and Support Services Director of ArrowXL, said: “The ArrowXL Development Academy not only represents a significant investment on behalf of our valued clients but also for our employees. We are committed to delivering world class levels of service and this can only be achieved by having engaged and motivated colleagues. We are determined to have the most skilful and proficient delivery crews in the two-person market and this fantastic apartment will play a vital role in delivering that.”
 
Zoe Sinclair, Head of Resourcing and Training, ArrowXL, added: “This new apartment illustrates our innovative approach to learning and development, and we intend to build a similar facility at our new hub in Worcester, which is due to open next year. Moving forwards, the Academy will allow us to deploy a standardised and consistent approach to training right across the business.”