A FOREST company has won a national adult learning award for its innovative approach to learning at work. The award for SPP Pumps in Coleford was announced at a national education innovation conference in Manchester.

It recognises the company's support for workplace learning advocates who are employees trained to encourage formal and informal learning at work.

SPP Pumps became involved with the advocates about a year ago, when engineering manager, Laura Hurcombe, trained as an advocate following a regional network meeting organised by Forest Means Business.

Laura said: "SPP are committed to supporting their employees and their families to achieving their full potential at work and at home.

"We recognise our responsibility to support our employees and our community in raising our employees of the future."

The scheme is supported and encouraged by Gloucestershire's Local Enterprise Partnership, G-First, as a means of improving the local skills base.

The success of the sessions at SPP led to a second advocate being trained. The award is sponsored by NIACE, the National Institute for Adult Continuing Education.