Dental Defence Union Parent Wins Princess Royal Award
- Details
- Published: Sunday, 01 September 2024 22:25
- Written by Guy Tuggle
- Hits: 1020
The Dental Defence Union‘s (DDU) membership team training scheme has for the fifth time attained prestigious recognition in the form of a Princess Royal Training Award.
Now in their ninth year, the awards recognise organisations that ’demonstrate exceptional commitment to learning and development’.
Over 600 employers registered their interest in the awards with 127 applying. 52 training programmes were recognised by the 2024 Princess Royal Training Awards including schemes from the National Theatre, Lotus Cars, Fifty Shades Greener, Bentley, Coventry Building Society, Persimmon and Grant Thornton.
The City and Guilds group awarded the Medical Defence Union (MDU), the parent company of the DDU, with a Princess Royal Training Award for its membership induction programme.
It follows the redesign of a training programme ’to be more flexible to the needs of hybrid and remote workers and to ensure defined and clear career pathways for staff’.
Reflecting on its achievement, a statement from the company said the Award ’shows the mutual membership organisation’s commitment to meeting the ever changing and increasingly complex needs of its dental members’.
Craig Johnson MDU Membership, Learning and Development Manager, said “I am extremely proud that our employee induction programme has yet again been recognised for the excellent and innovative training it provides.
"Maintaining the right levels of knowledge and competency is of great importance to us in ensuring that our members receive an efficient and quality service.
“During 2023 our team answered 110,000 calls with 78% answered within 20 seconds. In addition, we answered 100% of the 77,000 items of member correspondence within five days of receipt. We are focussed on employee’s learning and development, meaning many of our team develop long term careers across the organisation.”
Two team members who have benefitted from the membership induction programme are Emma Kearney and Di Bryant.
Emma commented “The training for the membership services role was outstanding. There was a lot to learn, and an assessment to pass, but I felt fully supported by the coaching team. I love my role, no day is ever the same and every day you are still always learning - I feel part of a bigger team. It is great to be able to support DDU members and to know it benefits them in supporting their patients."
Di added: “I am based in the northwest of England while the DDU’s head office is in London. Fortunately, training and support for my role is provided remotely. I have childcare responsibilities, so the flexibility offered means a lot to me. It benefits DDU members who can get prompt, knowledgeable support when they need it.”
You need to be logged in to leave comments.
Report