Sandvik’s ongoing commitment to training
In 2008, a customised training program
was developed by UNE Partnerships
for Sandvik Mining and Construction
Australia. Its principle aim was to provide
employees in management and supervisory
roles with the opportunity to develop their
management skills.
The training framework was based on the Diploma of Business (Frontline Management) qualification.
Sandvik Mining and Construction is a leading supplier of equipment, tools and services to the mining sector with more than 2500 employees across 70 locations in Australia and New Zealand. As an organisation that understands the value of training, Sandvik commenced a pilot program in Brisbane with 20 selected staff from all over Australia. The program was delivered over a 9-month period and consisted of six 2-day workshops.
Feedback from the program was extremely positive. According to Kathryn Brown, National Training Coordinator for Sandvik Mining and Construction, “the course provided employees with the right skills to do the job, and the emphasis on workplace application allowed them to complete their assessments as part of their daily tasks. Already we have also seen vast improvements in workplace practices”.
Assessment consisted of individual and group projects requiring people from across the company to work together. The final assessment task involved the presentation of group project outcomes to senior management, including the Managing Director Rowan Melrose, at the Graduation Ceremony in February this year. “The senior managers were really engaged with the presentations and kept asking additional questions. Some of the projects are currently being reviewed for future implementation into the company”, commented Kathryn.
Sandvik was so impressed with the outcomes from this first group that two further groups have recently started in Brisbane and Perth. “There was huge demand, even though we had doubled capacity of the intake, with 120 nominating for the program” said Kathryn.
“The ongoing development and training
of our people remains a key focus of our
business. The present market conditions
place additional pressure on the business;
however these types of courses help our
employees focus their efforts and make real
changes that can improve our operations
and efficiency. With these ‘hands on’
programs our employees gain additional
skills whilst the company benefits from their
effort”, commented Rowan Melrose.
