Sandton-based business, Cummins, is demonstrating that students, classrooms and life lessons can be found anywhere – even in between the machinery and generators of a large business.
The company believes that the trick to empowering and uplifting their employees lies in providing them with training and an education. It is for this reason that they have set up a learning centre with an IT centre and a reading centre for their employees. The learning centre’s management administrator, Dorothy Wildey said, “[It is] a wonderful thing to equip your employees with a valuable skill.” She explained that the centre is aimed at teaching their employees computer and literacy skills that will help them grow and develop in the business.
She said that many of the employees who are a part of this programme work in operations but will have the skills to move to any area that they are passionate about once they have completed their learning.
“Many of the employees who work well are rewarded and this empowers them, gives them hope and motivates their peers. It is amazing to see how far some of them have come,” said Wildey.
The learning and development leader, Neil Solomon, said that the aim is to uplift their employees and create opportunities for them. “I am a firm believer in the fact that all employees can grow. One employee need not be stuck in one part of the business for his or her whole working career. Their growth and development are made possible by the training and education that we provide,” he said.
Wildey explained how the programme works. Employees go about their work day as per usual, but in their spare time and lunch hour, they go into the centre to submit assignments and complete their tasks. The programme has been specifically designed so that the staff can learn, free of charge, without leaving their jobs.
Baldwin Mawela, who is involved with the mechanical parts sector, is part of this initiative. He said, “I was a little confused with the computer at the beginning but, as time went on, I became more comfortable and I feel so happy with what I have learned. I am very proud.”
