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Executive Report: Positive training gain Alan Guthrie visits a hirer whose dedicated training facility is bringing benefits to customers’ staff as well as to its own employees. Martin Plant Hire established its dedicated Safety Training division a year ago, complete with classrooms and all necessary facilities at the company’s headquarters in Motherwell, southeast of Glasgow. It had obviously organised training of its own staff in the past to ensure operational efficiency and personal development, as well as to meet Health & Safety obligations. However, it saw an opportunity to satisfy demand from its customers as well. “It is all too easy to regard training in a negative way,” states Stewart McNaughton, Martin Plant Hire’s Quality and Safety Manager. “We are emphasising the positives, by offering training that exactly meets customers’ needs and which they do not need to source themselves. Our own experience shows that course attendance can qualify for grant aid from bodies like the CITB, which reduces the cost. In addition, having a trained and knowledgeable workforce leads to savings in itself.” Martins’ own staff are enthusiastic about training and the benefits they gain. Indeed, Training Manager Dave Crichton was previously Depot Manager at the company’s Dundee branch, but his experience of learning and his awareness of potential demand from customers has led him to specialise in this area. The range of training and services offered is very broad, including courses from PASMA, IPAF and other organisations, first aid, ladder safety, abrasive wheels, manual handling, and general safety awareness. Business development issues can also be covered, including basic management, training skills, presentation techniques, effective communication, negotiation and project management. Other subjects are being added as required. “From a Health & Safety perspective, we are giving our staff and those from outside organisations the skills they need to do their jobs correctly and safely,” states Stewart McNaughton. “We also know that if we are hiring to a customer who has been trained, they understand how to use our equipment properly.” This reinforces the instruction leaflets, demonstrations and other advice that is given by counter staff at the point of hire. Martin Plant Hire has 16 depots throughout Scotland, stretching as far north as Inverness. It now has more than 150 employees and the company obviously takes its training responsibilities very seriously. “We regularly conduct a ‘training gap’ analysis with each staff member, to identify areas in which training will help their professional and personal development. For example, if a driver shows an aptitude to become a fitter, we will make a note of that requirement. A summary is then drawn up in the form of a chart covering the training proposed for individuals in the year ahead, as well as their achievements in past years.” This is then submitted to the CITB for approval to gain grant aid. It is not surprising that Martin Plant Hire enjoys a very low staff turnover rate. The planned approach to training obviously enhances employees’ abilities, confidence and job satisfaction. Customers who have attended courses run by the company have also benefited. “The feedback since we opened the training centre last year has been excellent,” states Stewart McNaughton. “Participants are enthusiastic and their employers appreciate being able to have their staff trained in an organised, structured way. The construction industry and related professions might have an image of not being concerned about safety, but our experience shows the exact opposite. Far from being reluctant, they are embracing it positively. “It
creates
a
virtuous
circle,
rather
than
a
vicious
one.
As
soon
as
someone
is
trained
they
become
more
competent,
getting
more
out
of
their
job.
They
then
identify
other
opportunities
and
areas
in
which
they
can
become
more
skilled.
Above
all,
training
avoids
the
risk
of
becoming
complacent:
T
08708
536
100 Executive Hire News › Archives › August 2006 › Executive Report › Positive training gain
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