Local Contracting Company is a National Example

Local Contracting Company is a National Example

Local Brightwater family business Taylors Contracting is being showcased around New Zealand as a model for how to get the most out of training staff.

Nine Taylors staff recently achieved a Level 4 National Certificate in Business (First Line Management) run by InfraTrain and Leadership Development New Zealand. InfraTrain says that’s the largest number of participants from a medium-sized contracting company to attend a single training programme.

Ross Leslie, the National Operations Manager for Infratrain says it’s unusual for a medium-sized company like Taylors to be what he calls a ‘shining light’ in terms of training. Ross says sending nine staff to this programme in one hit is inspirational and it’s being taken around the country as a model for training in small to medium contracting businesses.

“It’s the first time we’ve seen this happen to this degree with this level of commitment at this level of company. We find that a lot of smaller companies understand the benefits of this training, but they’re not prepared to make the dollar commitment to reap those benefits. Taylors are walking the talk.”

Infratrain has already had Charlie Taylor talk to the Contractors Federation in the North Island, with further visits planned where he can talk about how training has worked for his company.

Charlie Taylor has always been a firm believer in the value of training.

“A lot of our guys had never been taught how to be a manager. We’re a family business that has taken staff and over the years grown them into more challenging roles. I knew this course would help them perform more effectively as managers. They gain a formal qualification which, in turn, helps us for our tender attributes. It’s about everyone getting something out of the training.”

Taylors Contracting Construction Manager Aaron Ewers has been with Taylors for over 11 years. “I’ve got about nine pages to my record of learning and more qualifications than I can shake a stick at – and they just keep throwing it at you. At Taylors, there’s always someone doing some training, it’s amazing.”

Aaron Ewers knew just how good the first-line management training was when he used his new skills the very next day.

“Straight after the conflict management session I had an issue so using what I’d just learnt, I handled it completely differently than I would have normally. The end result was far better, it happened quicker and everyone was happy.”

Ross Leslie says Taylors are also to be praised for their commitment to continue training in the economic downturn.

“Often we find that training is the first item to be struck of the ‘must-do’ list when times get tough, but Taylors have in fact committed to training even more recently. They know that if you invest in training down the line at level 2 and 3, it’s only going to give you payback if the first-line managers are able to take advantage of those new skills and know how to get the best out of people. “

This first-line management course was run by local Leadership Development New Zealand tutor Shaaron Adams – described by the participants as having a fantastic teaching style where they were interested and engaged the whole time. While it was mainly Taylor’s managers who took part, it also included InfraTrain’s own regional manager Dave Giddens and Paul Fahey from Fahey Contracting. The sessions were run over 8 days in total with lots of small group discussions.

ENDS

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