Vodafone starts with professional training courses at MBO level for its shop personnel via the Vodafone Academy. An agreement signed with ROC Twente and Kenniscentrum Handel makes this possible. By offering professional training courses, Vodafone wants to become an even more attractive employer for present and future employees. ROC Twente and Kenniscentrum Handel guarantee the quality of the training offered. On April 15, an information day will be held for employees to explore the possibilities and sign up.

Starting in September 2008, Vodafone will arrange a full professional training programme for Sales specialist (Verkoopspecialist) and Branche manager (Filiaalmanager). The programmes take 2 years and consist of 15 training days per year. In addition, students will receive homework assignments and weekly coaching by Vodafone trainers in the shops. The study materials fully focus on Vodafone and situations employees recognize from their daily work.

Paul Smits, Director Human Resources, Vodafone Netherlands: "Customer satisfaction is, to a large extent, determined by the employees in the Vodafone Winkels. By offering official professional training courses at MBO level on top of the regular internal sales, management and product trainings, we offer employees the opportunity to develop. And of course, this also benefits the service level in the shops, which creates a win-win situation."

In addition to the MBO level training courses, Vodafone intends to offer ‘Small business’, a training at HBO level, in the future.

About Vodafone Libertel B.V.
Vodafone is one of the largest mobile communications companies in the Netherlands and is part of the Vodafone Group, the world’s leading international communications group with equity interests in 25 countries across 5 continents and 252 million proportionate customers at the end of September 2007, as well as 39 partner networks.