3C Associates, the pioneer of Phone Delivered TrainingT, is to partner with Nationwide Building Society to train Managers and Contact Centre Advisers in customer service skills and telephone sales through service skills. 3C will adapt existing Nationwide course material for Phone Training delivery, and train managers in new coaching and support skills.

'Our phone training course will allow Nationwide to teach soft skills and systems skills using nothing more than a phone and conference call,' said Hedda Bird, managing director 3C Associates. 'The first group of seven trainers from Nationwide began the first stage of their 3C Accredited Phone Trainer course in March.'

Nationwide said that it made sense to train contact centre managers by phone. 'PDTT phone training will reduce the travelling and accommodation costs of our trainers, as well as enabling some home-working for trainers. We will be able to give an improved level of service to our branch network, as well as reduce total training costs' said Chris Weston , training manager Nationwide Direct.

About Nationwide Building Society

Nationwide is one of the UK 's leading financial service providers. It has over 10 million members and over £100 billion in assets. Nationwide offers a range of products and services designed to meet members' financial needs and maintains an extensive branch network. Nationwide is a mutually owned organisation. This means it belongs to its members and is run for their benefit. It's this mutual status that makes Nationwide different to the banks. Nationwide offers genuine long-term good value, and gives members easy access to a wide range of products and services. For more details, visit the Web site at: www.nationwide.co.uk.

About 3C Associates