In an industry that is all about people, attracting, retaining and developing staff is vital. This award acknowledges great work in this critical area of HR, training and recruitment.
The contenders are:
Cornerways Nursery: Staff development
At Cornerways Nursery we aim to give everyone the opportunity to develop themselves and their career.
There are plenty of examples where our philosophy of “recruiting from within” and “developing our own talent” has provided the leaders of today.We work with MDS to develop graduates entering the industry and our apprenticeship with Sainsbury’s has been a great way to get young talented people into our business. Many of our current management have worked through the business with the majority being under the age of 30.
We also have a unique approach toward seasonal labour which enables seasonal staff to be employed directly with guaranteed work removing the uncertainties and challenges involved with working for a labour provider and more security for our staff. We now offer permanent seasonal contracts giving our staff guaranteed seasonal work year-to-year.
As a company we recognise that our strengths lie in the hard work and commitment by our staff, many of whom do not speak English and therefore struggle to develop in line with their true potential. We therefore provide English language classes in partnership with the local regional college for those wanting to improve the spoken skills. This has been such a success with full attendance every week and a waiting list for future courses. This approach forms the foundation for a technically strong and competent workforce.
Alongside this we have invested in a wide array of training, with large investment in professional qualifications such as CIMA and CIPP. We have invested in H&S training with six people on site fully NEBOSH trained. We have also invested in a wide array of management training focussing on both the behavioural side and the academic side, with one employee receiving full funding to complete a Masters in supply chain management at Cranfield.
At Greenvale we invest heavily in both the personal and professional development of our people; this facilitates continued excellence in what we do.
Our own “Learning Academy” strategy aims to bring individuals together with the sharing of knowledge, skills and experiences, whilst focusing on key areas of business and developmental needs.
Our Graduate Development Programme:
We employ a number of high-calibre graduates each year. Each graduate spends two years working in different areas of the business before taking up a permanent position.
Graduates are mentored through the programme.
Our Management Development Programme:
A selection of employees spend six months developing and improving their business skills in readiness for their next move - or simply to further improve their existing performance.
The programme includes 360 degree feedback, 1:1 coaching, on the job coaching and off-site training courses.
To date, approximately 50 of our current employees have been through this process, including a number of our senior managers.
Our Mentoring Programme:
Aimed specifically at the development of our Operations team.
Our middle managers have a designated mentor to assist their overall development.
Our Modern Apprenticeship Programme:
Aimed at recruiting and developing young talent.
Delivers a National Vocational Qualification at Level 2.
Working in partnership with the University of Lincoln and the Scottish Qualifications Authority
Our comprehensive appraisal process:
Sets and reviews an individual’s business objectives.
Develops individual’s competence to carry out their role.
Via the appraisal process we also review our company vision, values and where individuals can contribute.
In addition to the above we have links with all local schools and colleges with the aim of recruiting local people for our jobs and a great initiative undertaken by our Kent Potato Company is the links with Royal British Legion Institute (RBLI). This organisation helps the long term unemployed back into work.
The Produce World Group is passionate about being a Great Place to Work – we believe an engaged team will deliver outstanding performance and set us apart.
We know that our Line Leaders are central to creating the environment where our people can thrive. We recognised that this group needed support to develop its skills and confidence to create such an environment.
We worked with the National Skills Agency to find a partner that could help us. We selected Develop-U as they challenged our approach and thinking and helped us to define a long-term approach. We wanted to move beyond a traditional training-provider model and work with trusted experts who would be integral to our business.
A programme launched in 2014 delivered immediate benefits that directly supported and furthered our company Values:
Collaboration – Cross-site cohorts working together, learning from one another, creating alumni groups which continue working together.
Growing Trust – Our people managers are now more skilful and work in a consistent and fair way.
Learning – A more reflective team who consider the way they do things and are challenged to regularly revisit their learning.
Responsibility - Our learners understand their responsibilities as managers and leaders. They know that their responsibilities will grow and change with the business.
Innovation – New ways of working with other sites – bringing about improvements in performance.
Customer first – It highlighted that their people are their customers and their relationship with them impacts on our relationship with our customers. The modules supported learners in understanding what our customers need and want, in order to deliver the best performance and service.
Our partnership with Develop-U continues to strengthen, they have been a key contributor to our Growing People strategy and we are working together on an ILM apprenticeship as the next stage of the Line Leaders’ development journey.
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