True to training
It’s not easy for New Zealand manufacturers to compete against the lower costs of international firms. But where we can’t compete financially, we can compete by building a highly productive workforce with a strong knowledge of lean principles. And building a productive workforce was what Tru-Test Group, the world’s leading manufacturer of livestock scales and milk metering equipment, set out to do. In 2007, Tru-Test embarked on their lean journey through a continuous improvement programme known as TRACC. Then in 2010, Competenz, the Manufacturing Industry Training Organisation (ITO), joined the party. “We realised that what Competenz could bring was a nationally recognised qualification that aligned with TRACC and reflected the effort of every employee,” says Jeff Tuffnell, Tru-Test training provider. So to recognise this effort, Tru-Test held a graduation ceremony to celebrate the success of over 100 employees who achieved the National Certificate in Competitive Manufacturing, Level 2. “Some workers have never had a formal education – yet they practise lean manufacturing every single day,” says Fred Hanson, Tru-Test Manufacturing Manager. “They deserve to be recognised with a qualification.” When Tru-Test first started training, it was quickly discovered that a challenge employees were facing wasn’t the how, but the what. “They weren’t familiar with the terminology even though they know exactly what it entails,” says Nick Fitzgerald, Polymers Accessories Team Leader. “So we took them through the factory floor and showed them how each term was actually part of their daily job – now they have a qualification to be proud of.” But investing in their people has not just meant a rise in staff morale, but the teams increased skills have filtered down to mean increased productivity – helping Tru-Test in their goal to become New Zealand’s leading manufacturer. “An improved team culture has seen our workers actively […]