Backing people and helping them grow

Backing people and helping them grow

Over 300 Z service station staff have now achieved the brand new New Zealand Certificate in Retail Level Three, with a further 700 working towards it to date.

As a Kiwi business, a big focus for Z is to help their people grow through providing a pathway for education and training that’s recognised outside of Z.

In 2013 Z developed a nationally recognised certificate in collaboration with ServiceIQ that was linked to the national Certificate in Retail Level Two. The level of uptake from Z’s site teams was so great that at the end of last year Z once again teamed up with ServiceIQ to introduce a Level Three NZ Certificate in Retail.

Mark Forsyth, Z’s General Manager Retail said that the response of staff to opt-in to the course and then take it to the next level as they continue on their developmental pathway has been staggering and applications have poured in.

“By the end of the year over 2,000 Z staff members will have graduated at Level Two and over a 1,000 will have progressed on the pathway to attaining Level Three.

“For many of our staff this is the first time delving into a formal qualification.
We’re really excited to be able to help recognise the skills that they have with a formal qualification, and it’s great to see them so keen to continue,” Mark said.

Mark said that Z wants to be famous for customer service and they recognise that the only way they’re going to get there is by having fulfilled, engaged and committed staff.

“At Z we think our people are our most important resource, and we want to help them grow — the NZQA recognised Certificate in Retail is a great step forward in helping our site teams pursue a pathway for personal and professional development.”

Rosemary Tata, site manager at Z Trentham, and Chris Batisan, site manager at Z Petone, both agree.

“I’ve worked in Retail my entire career of 30 odd years, and this is the first company that has offered training qualifications for free,” said Rosemary.

“This qualification gives you the wisdom to help identify what the customer needs, what staff should do, and how to provide the best service that customers are entitled to,” said Chris.

Dean Minchington, Chief Executive Officer of industry training organisation ServiceIQ, said that Z was the first organisation to have graduates achieve the new NZ Certificate in Retail Level Three.

“Business success depends on its people. The Z employees who have gained this just launched New Zealand Certificate in Retail Level 3 will be making a very real contribution to the customer service excellence Z is striving for,” said Dean.

Given the response to the introduction of these qualifications from Z site staff members, Mark would highly recommend similar relevant programmes to other New Zealand businesses.

“This has worked really well for our people and as a result, for our business.

“Investment in education and training is only ever a good thing,” said Mark.

Both Rosemary and Chris are keen to keep building on their education and qualifications, and are looking forward to the introduction of a Level Four NZ Certificate in Retail.

In the meantime, Rosemary will be going on a leadership course next week to help build her people leadership and management skills.

“Investing in people is never a waste of money — everyone will gain,” said Chris.

ends

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