My success in last year’s TTJ Career Development Award, sponsored by SCA, is not just due to the number of training courses I’ve attended, nor my degree qualification. It’s due, for the most part, to the people around me who have taken the time to encourage me and to provide me with learning opportunities day-to-day.
John Kissock first gave me the opportunity to work at James Jones & Sons and since then the company’s culture of truly caring about its employees and their development has provided both the environment and the stimulus for me to move forward.
Companies should plan for the future when selecting people, rather than just filling a vacancy amongst their job titles. This should start with the organisational chart they need to achieve their desired future business outcomes, selecting people with the right competencies to fulfil key roles. Beyond this, it’s vital for staff to feel confident about their role in the company and their ability to carry it out effectively.
Timber is not a simple material to work with and sharing the experience and knowledge of others from their lifetime of working with wood is invaluable to the future managers and directors who are right now out there working in more junior positions.
In-house and other forms of training demonstrate to employees that you care about their future, and when they feel cared for it gives them the stimulus to grow and progress. The company culture of caring becomes part of your daily life.
I continue to learn every day from all those around me. I have a close relationship with my line managers, including Brian Robertson, our general manager, who finds time to spend with me developing my knowledge and talents. It’s the people, their day-to-day relationships and the systems for their development that really make a difference to the future of any business.
I would encourage other companies to share the pride they have in their staff by entering candidates for the 2007 Career Development Award.
