The painting and decorating industry is bucking the trend by investing in the development of their Chargehands and Foremen during the current recession. The Leadership Factory were invited to develop a bespoke management programme on behalf of the industry association the Scottish Decorators Federation which has the support of CSkills funding. Site Management was launched earlier this year and has been positively received by organisations keen to maintain stability and a competitive lead.
Site Management is a three-day practical programme exploring the stages of a successful project – from planning, running and finishing. Participants use their experience and skills to develop new tools and techniques that will positively impact on their effectiveness through their team, costs and quality.
Brian McKeown from Brooker Simpson commented that the course “brought new ways to my thinking about projects and management”. The programme has also positively changed Keith Goodwin from George Nicolson Decorators who found it helped with “better planning of a job, and having a better attitude towards other people and more respect.”
The Leadership Factory attended the recent SDF conference in Dunblane to support the Cskills team who were promoting the need for training and development. This resulted in several companies signing up to the Site Management programme. One company has enrolled their female Chargehand in the programme. A time served painter and decorator with many years experience this woman is an excellent example of how a woman can thrive in a male-dominated environment.
This programme is a first for Scotland and other traditional industries are now keen to learn from the SDF and apply similar models.
Brian Glennie, Director of The Leadership Factory has welcomed the new approach. “The SDF are taking the lead in developing their management team in a proactive way that will impact on their staff motivation and long-term profitability.”