Business North September 2020

22 | Volume 19 | Issue 3 businessnorth The My Edge programme focused on improving confidence and building critical communication skills. DEVELOPMENT - AUCKLAND » Wynyard Edge Alliance / America’s Cup “Our work also uncovers the assumptions about what people do and don’t understand,” says Tina. “For example if you are a confident person it is hard to step into someone else’s shoes and under- stand the challenges faced by someone who is not so confident.” The course was held for 2.5 hours per week over 10 weeks on site to remove barriers to training and development. Participants were split into two groups: those whose first language is English and those where English is their second language. Tina says that everyone benefits when workers who face literacy and numeracy challenges are supported. For example she says that a Maori programme participant identified that cultural components of site induction were needed and developed the com- munication skills to be confident to put forward this idea to the WEA leadership team. At the end of the programme all participants were able to fill out H&S incident forms and seven of the participants gained the Write Up, Speak Up, Be Safe edubit qualification. Tina says the participants are now working safer, smarter and more efficiently saving their employers time and money in the long run. Participants also gained valuable digital technol- ogy skills, which will assist them in finding employ- ment post-project. Programme - ‘bringing out the best in people’ • from page 22 “In addition to having a job, people also have to have a voice. Once they have achieved something like Write Up, Speak Up, Be Safe they think ‘if I can do that, what else can I do?” She says programmes such as Write Up, Speak Up, Be Safe also provide many benefits to wider society. “For example if a man is able to improve his literacy he might be more likely to read his child’s report card, get a better job, manage his money better therefore putting more food on the table and generally fulfil his potential. “Programmes such as My Edge offer so much more than just new tools and skills for the people learning. The knowledge gained is shared many times over with whanau, friends and other work- mates.” Tina says the programme was also about helping the construction industry build capability and ad- dress the skills shortage that currently exists. “For employers, running capability development programmes are becoming increasingly attractive as often government funding is available,” she says. “And now, with no immigrant workers coming into the country for some time, it is vital we focus on up-skilling our existing workers. “Most people have an incredible amount of talent but don’t have the opportunity to express it. I see our job as bringing out the best in people. “This was a real employer led programme with a lot of support from the WEA, which is why it was such a big success.” Empower your team • Communicate effectively • Increase health and safety understanding • Be confident to speak up Flexible on point training at work to your workforce • Government funding available 021 567 337 www.educationunlimited.co.nz EducationUnlimitedNZ At the heart of every business is the people working in it. - Henry Ford, Founder Ford Motor Company We Provide: Call us today Ph: 0800 767 236 • Spill Kits • Spill Kits Audits • Spill Pallets • Bunding • Training • Particulates • Replenishments for Compliance PROUD SUPPLIERS OF WYNYARD EDGE ENVIROPRONZ ENGINES - MERCRUISER - RACING REPAIRS AND SERVICES ENGINES - MERCRUISER - RACING REPAIRS AND SERVICES +64 9 537 0114 raybryant@xtra.co.nz mercuryoutboard.co.nz PROUD TO SUPPORT WYNYARD EDGE ALLIANCE “If a person doesn’t understand something but doesn’t have the confidence to speak up this creates health and safety issues. So it’s important to address confidence and communication skills as well.”