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A NSW Council is using customised training in leadership and management by Forsythes Training to help develop its emerging leaders.
A gap in skills for emerging leaders
Port Macquarie Hastings Council (PMHC) Learning & Development Officer Stuart Robb said Council has invested significantly in the training and development of its senior leadership team. Stuart said Council identified a gap in its training and development of new supervisors and team leaders.
The training solution
Council selected Forsythes Training to develop a leadership and management training program to meet its specific organisational development needs.
Fourteen staff from both administration and outdoor teams have completed an initial Leadership Styles and My Team skill set. The training was delivered face to face over four months. The skill set uses the first four units of the nationally recognised BSB40520 Certificate IV in Leadership and Management including emotional intelligence and units on being an effective leader and building a more supportive and efficient team.
The PMHC program has three skill set modules – using different units of competency from the Cert IV qualification. Not all participants will complete all modules. More staff are likely to complete the first module. Because the program uses units from accredited qualifications staff will be able to use these units towards completing the full leadership and management qualification or other qualifications.
Immediate benefits from the training
Stuart said the feedback from participants who undertook the initial first skill set has been very positive. An expression of interest has gone out to repeat the module with other supervisors and team leaders.
“Our emerging leaders appreciate the investment Council is making in them and have enjoyed the opportunity to participate,” Stuart said.
“The emotional intelligence component was very well received. We are seeing participants putting those learnings into action already in the workplace,” he said.
“Having an understanding of the personality types within their team and a better understanding of how they are perceived by their team is something the participants found very valuable.”
“Training participants from different teams together, face to face, has given them a greater understanding of Council’s entire operations and where their team fits into the bigger picture.”
“Participants built good relationships with each other, creating an internal network where they can support and learn from one another, in an ongoing way, outside of the formal training.
Forsythes Training’s approach delivers successful training outcomes
Stuart said Forsythes Training’s ability to customise the training program to meet the needs of Council and participants, is a key reason for success. He said breaking the training into manageable blocks of units gives Council flexibility and room to adjust the program.
“We are conscious of time away from the workplace when delivering the training.”
“We also didn’t want to make the training arduous given that, for some participants, this is their first experience of formal study and training since school or higher education. There is not a lot of work participants need to do outside of the face to face sessions.”
He said the trainer was highly experienced and brought real industry experience into the classroom. The theory and management concepts were practically applied to Council’s operations and policies.
“The trainer quickly developed a great rapport with the participants which is critical to successful training.”
“The use of role play and other training tools made the training practical and engaging. The discussions were driven by participants and the trainer encouraged them to use their own experiences to apply and understand the theory and concepts. The training had an element of coaching to it, not just delivery of theory and assignment.”
Training for local government
Forsythes Training Director Julie Carroll commended Port Macquarie Hastings Council for its strategic investment in developing its future leadership team.
“We do a lot of work with local councils around NSW, in leadership and management, WHS, customer service, computing and digital skills, project management and training and assessment.”
“Smart councils realise that skilling emerging leaders and succession planning is critical for change management, building and maintaining culture, attracting and retaining talented staff and delivering services to rate payers efficiently and effectively.”
Questions about customised leadership and management training
Forsythes Training is a leader in leadership and management training. As well as customised workplace training, we also offer public short courses and nationally accredited qualifications.
With face to face or live virtual classroom delivery options, you can choose the most cost effective and practical way to gain the right leadership and management skills and competencies for you or your organisation.
Contact us today to discuss your training needs.
