Power company Seeboard Energy is sparking its employees' interest in learning.

Jacqui Minto, the company's diversity and employment manager, is responsible for the 4,000 staff in the Hove, Exeter, Sunderland and Plymouth offices reaching their potential.

She said: "If employees don't realise their full potential, a company won't either. The benefits to the bottom line are obvious - improved staff satisfaction, better staff retention, less absence and increased motivation."

It was important to recognise different needs, such as people with caring responsibilities and those returning from maternity leave.

Donna Reed, 33, from Brighton, said: "I joined Seeboard on a temporary basis after my husband broke his finger and was unable to work.

"It was just intended to be a way of earning a bit of money."

She had started her NVQ assessor training and decided to pursue this.

She said: "Someone I knew in human resources said the company was looking for an assessor so I decided to give it a go.

"I qualified in about five months and was an assessor for a further six months before moving on.

"My manager said studying for the Institute of Personnel and Development certificate in personnel practice would be a good next step for my career. Seeboard supported me starting that."

The certificate in personnel practice is a qualification for human resource professionals and takes about three years to complete. Donna has about 18 months left.

She recently had a baby and now works part-time so she can spend more time with her son.

She said: "Again, Seeboard was very understanding. It makes me feel good and less guilty about working. I've got a good balance in my life."

Donna now helps other employees organise work to best suit childcare.

Charlotte Kenny, 22, has an NVQ in customer services and has been studying for National Examination Board management qualifications.

She joined Seeboard five years ago and has risen through the ranks to become a team leader.

She said: "There were lots of learning opportunities on offer from the moment I joined.

They were invaluable for someone like me who didn't have much business experience."

She planned to stay in general management and was keen to study more courses to further her career.

Jacqui said Seeboard hadn't been affected much by the recent flexible working legislation.

Jenny Shippam, 61, from Hove, joined the company in 1999 as part of a new call centre team. Despite 20 years of sales experience, she did not have a formal qualification.

She has now completed an NVQ Level 3 in customer services and has trained to be a business coach.

Jenny said: "It's nice to have something to prove you can do a job and training is never wasted. I like to be involved. If you're working for a good firm, it's good to give something back."

She marked a double celebration by being awarded her NVQ on her 60th birthday.

Jenny has also received first aid training and is a member of Seeboard's emergency service, PowerCare, and coaches other staff with problems.

She said: "We'd already recognised it's in employers' best interests to help staff work flexibly and make sure they get the training they want and need.

"It costs us about a year's salary to recruit and train someone. It would be stupid to throw this away for the sake of changing their hours or helping them develop skills."

Seeboard had also introduced the NVQ in call handling to recognise employees' abilities.

Tuesday May 20 2003