Creativedge says investing in training is essential
Mark Rose, Training Director of Creativedge Training & Development explains why successful organisations of the future, will be those that invest in their staff.
Organisations are going to find it more of a challenge to hold
onto key members of staff as the perception of work and employment
changes. By using training and development as a tool for retaining
staff, organisations can also benefit from increased staff
attendance, greater company loyalty, improved skills, innovation
and production.
Organisations that invest in their staff also tend to be happier
and more productive places to work and have far lower employee
turnover. Staff also pay greater attention to individual needs in
both clients and co-workers. Although training costs time and
money, so does the lack of it - and usually far more!
Since 2002 Creativedge Training and Development has been working
closely with Travis Perkins on its Senior Management Development
Programme (SMDP). As the leading supplier to the UK building and
construction industry, Travis Perkins has approximately 1200 stores
and branches nationwide and employs approximately 16,000 members of
staff across its seven brands.
The SMDP, designed and delivered by Creativedge , was established
to develop experienced branch managers for future wider roles
including key support roles and regional director
appointments.
Brendan Melvin, Group Manager - Management Development at Travis
Perkins says "Travis Perkins is actively preparing today's
supervisors and managers to fill the key positions of tomorrow. The
SMDP, one of many learning interventions, has achieved true group
wide representation and support involving employees within Travis
Perkins, Keyline, C.C.F., City Plumbing, Wickes and Benchmarx " The
SMDP target group is a mix of those colleagues who are considered
ready for the "next step up" including those for future regional
& group roles."
The SMDP programme has already proved to be very successful since
it launched in 2002. So far, Travis Perkins has appointed a
Managing Director and 27 Regional Directors from this target group
and 30 plus promotions for other regional & group roles, as
well as larger grade branch and store roles.
By having ongoing training programmes for employees, organisations
are better able to fill vacant positions by recruiting from within
which is both cost-effective and practical for an organisation.
Internal or current employees can make the best available
candidates because they are already familiar with the company and
already successful within the organisation.
Giving current employees more opportunities for advancement can be
a win-win situation for everyone. Not only does it promote employee
loyalty but more importantly, it reduces any risk from hiring
externally. A failed external senior hire can be one of the most
expensive costs a business can face, with the cost of lost
productivity and lowered morale from employees who feel they have
been 'bypassed' for promotion and have missed out on an opportunity
to progress within the organisation.
However, training and development isn't just about 'one-offs' but
rather a continuous journey so that employers and employees can
keep up with the constant market changes.
A positive organisational culture only comes through a respect for
and an investment in your people, not only in terms of financial
rewards but by offering them the best working experience, one that
offers security as well as progression and personal growth.