Improving productivity through skills development
Case study: Norseland Ltd.
Norseland Ltd Is an Innovative specialist cheese producer in Somerset. Its products include three of the UK’s number one category brands:
- Jarlsberg® – UK’s No.1 Deli Cheese with Holes
- Applewood® – UK’s No.1 Smoky Cheese*
- Mexicana® – UK’s No.1 Spicy Cheese*
Norseland has been working with ATN to support one of its Management team to undertake the NOCN Management of Productivity Diploma.
Course Units were selected based upon business and employee needs and delivered using a flexible/blended learning approach. The learner was supported throughout the process with discussions of assessment activity, feedback, guidance and regular reviews between the learner and company sponsor. Through consultation with ATN, the following units were undertaken:
- Strategic Management
- Continuous Improvement
- 5S to Improve Productivity
- Organisational Development for Improved Productivity
- Workforce Planning to Improve Productivity
- Performance Measurement & Management
- Using Benchmarking to Improve Performance
- Risk and Issue Management
- Planning for Operational Change

“ATN Teaching has structured the NOCN Management of Productivity Suite to enable us to up-skill the future needs of our Management Team. The course has been delivered with a very professional and manageable structure, including carefully selected units which are individual to the candidate’s needs, providing them with opportunities to become fully engaged with each unit.
The tutors have a true passion for getting the candidates to live and breathe the unit-contents, which gives them opportunities to put theory into practice – applying it in their daily role within the business.
This course has already reaped rewards for the business; our current learner, as part of the Continual Improvement Unit, undertook a project which has enabled small changes that will have a big impact on productivity. With the collaboration and support of ATN and the candidate’s internal support network at Norseland, the NOCN Management of Productivity Diploma will help to continue the development and growth of the people within our business.”
“The suite of qualifications provides employers and learners alike, flexibility in developing the skills needed for both personal and business development. Productivity is a hot topic – the market in the South West is huge – the flexible learning approach in conjunction with professional and passionate support is a winning formula.”
“The NOCN way of doing things is flexible, friendly and responsive. We give our customers what they need, adding value to their business by creating opportunities for learning. Working with ATN and Norseland we have seen their shared passion for excellence and commitment to staff development, resulting in better productivity and a stronger business overall.”