Rojaz Foods is a growing business that packages dried fruit for supermarkets. It has bought a new sealing machine after several customers complained that pa...
Question 1 Report
Rojaz Foods is a growing business that packages dried fruit for supermarkets. It has bought a new sealing machine after several customers complained that packets were not airtight. The production manager is considering a one-day training session for 18 packing employees. The trainer will demonstrate how to set up, clean and check the machine. Employees will then use the machine in pairs before starting normal production. Some workers think the business should save money and give staff only a written instruction sheet. Rojaz wants to reduce waste, meet food safety rules and protect its profit.
(a) Define the term training. [2]
(b) State two skills that packing employees may need when using the new sealing machine. [4]
(c) Analyse one reason why Rojaz Foods may use practical training in pairs before employees work alone. [5]
(d) Discuss whether Rojaz Foods should provide the one-day training session rather than only written instructions. Justify your answer. [9]
Answer Details
(a) Training is the process of improving employees' skills or knowledge so that they can perform their jobs more effectively. [2]
(b) Two relevant skills are:
- setting up the sealing-machine controls;
- checking packet seals.
Other valid skills include cleaning the machine safely, following food-hygiene procedures and identifying faults. [4]
(c) Practical work in pairs allows employees to support and check each other. Errors in machine settings are therefore more likely to be spotted before production begins. This should lead to fewer badly sealed packets, less waste and lower costs, which can improve profit. [5]
(d) A one-day session gives employees a demonstration, making the required procedures clearer than written words alone. Practical use develops skill and confidence, and helps employees follow safety and food-hygiene procedures. This can reduce faulty packets, waste and customer complaints.
Written instructions are low cost, quick to distribute and can be kept near the machine for reference. However, workers may misunderstand them, and they do not demonstrate whether an employee can operate the machine safely and correctly.
Rojaz Foods should provide the training session because packet faults have already caused customer complaints. The cost of one day of training is likely to be less than continued waste, food-safety risks and lost customer satisfaction. [9]
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