Programme in action
...as a result of communication training at CMP Canterbury. For four years employees of CMP Canterbury Ltd who wish to improve their communication and supervisory skills and gain meat industry unit standards have been attending training at the Ashburton Learning Centre (ALC).
Management at CMP Canterbury have been impressed by the results of the training. They say that the training has benefited the company and each individual taking part.
CMP Canterbury’s General Manager, Graham Parker, says the programme has helped develop a better working culture and employees have become more skilled, flexible and receptive to change. Mr Parker says programme has directly impacted productivity and improved customer service.
| ”People who have been on the programme have more confidence, take a keen interest in their work, take more responsibility and we can now promote many of them. Absenteeism is down - people come to work in a better frame of mind and find it easier to get on with their colleagues. Their home life has improved as well - for example they can now help their children with their homework. And employees from non English speaking backgrounds can understand instructions right away.” |
Sharon McDonald, CMP Canterbury’s Human Resources manager says she finds it hard to believe how much the programme has achieved. She says employees have learned to be team players, have become more confident with complex compliance forms, are open to try new things and have a greater sense of loyalty to the company. Ms McDonald says CMP Canterbury has been able to promote people to supervisory positions and that every supervisor reports positive changes in behaviour and attitudes from employees attending the programme.
Another unexpected benefit is that people on the programme (or who have completed a programme) no longer get referred for discipline procedures for not following instructions, carrying out the wrong cuts or issues with attitude.
Ms McDonald says the programme also encouraged CMP Canterbury to improve internal training as well as making improvements to signage and paperwork.
How the programme is organised
Employees learn about the programme at CMP Canterbury’s induction and through other employees. Everyone who attends the programme does so voluntarily (out of work time) for 3 hours per week.
Learning sessions are held at times that fit in with employees’ shifts.
The tutors, who are fully trained adult literacy tutors, assess each employee’s learning needs and design an individual programme.
Many of the participants are studying for a Certificate in Meat Processing. Non English speaking background employees are learning workplace and conversational English and basic skills for working at CMP Canterbury and living in New Zealand. The tutors help participants develop the reading, writing, communication, numeracy, problem solving and computer skills they need at work, to pass industry qualifications and to survive and thrive at home and in the community.
Changes at work
Some of the positive changes that have been noticed by CMP Canterbury management include employees:
- taking the initiative, relying less on supervisors and taking more responsibility
- being more communicative and becoming problem solvers and team players
- having better attendance
- being more flexible and open to changes
- having a sense of loyalty to the company
- being able to fill out complex compliance forms
- no longer being referred for disciplinary procedures
- improved understanding of English and instructions
- having an improved quality of life outside work.
Management at CMP Canterbury say the programme has helped develop a better working culture and they can promote programme participants to supervisory positions. Graham Parker, the General Manager, says the programme has directly affected productivity and the ability of the company to serve its customers.
Employees too are enthusiastic about the programme saying as a result of the programme they:
- take more responsibility and are willing to do extra jobs
- think about how to do a better job and make better products
- have become interested in learning more skills
- have improved their supervisory skills and become better listeners
- have gained Meat Processing qualifications
- have got better attitudes - “I didn’t used to like being told what to do. Now I’m not like that”
- can see a future for themselves within CMP Canterbury and hope to get promoted
- can help their children with their homework.