HASTINGS Co-operative's chief executive officer Allan Gordon has committed the organisation to being focused on education and training after signing a partnership with North Coast TAFE.
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Mr Gordon said the signing marked 'the foundation date when the Co-op can truly say that we have a commitment to improve and promote the significance of education with our employees'.
"The importance of building a partnership with the North Coast TAFE will not be lost on those who will benefit over the coming years, as we develop and refine educational opportunities that will not only assist the Co-op but also the general community."
He said the Co-op had been working with TAFE to develop training programs to boost its staff's skills in "the areas of customer service, leadership and sales".
"Learning as a life-long ambition has been cemented in the Co-op's strategic directions, where one of the cornerstones for improving the Co-op is becoming the employer of choice," Mr Gordon said.
"As part of this commitment we are developing career paths for our employees so that those who wish to have a strong career in retail can do so with the Co-op.
"This means that we are prepared to instil in our employees the skills that would allow them to develop and grow not only as employees but also as individuals."
The Institute Director for North Coast TAFE, Elizabeth McGregor said the purpose is to "work together to promote the benefits of learning, innovation, profitability and customer service".
"We can use the training capability of both organisations to support people in our region to achieve their career and employment objectives," Ms McGregor said.
"By providing training opportunities, assistance with external tertiary study costs and encouragement, we at the Co-op see education as a really important element in approving our business and in turn improving the experience of every one of our customers.
"It is no secret that in a fiercely competitive environment that retail shopping is, that to not invest in our employees would be extremely detrimental. Likewise it is no secret that it is our ambition to lift the overall standards of our workforce so that we can be truly known as the employer of choice . . ."
He said "the learning pathways that North Coast TAFE provides, whether it be customised internal training, certificate or diploma courses, or through their partnerships with universities, is integral to the development and delivery of these goals and ambitions".
Mr Gordon concluded his pre-MOU signing address by saying, "in closing I would like to quote Nelson Mandela, who said, 'Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world'. We at the Co-op may not be looking at changing the world, however we are truly looking at making a difference."
Describing the collaborative arrangements that had been put in place ahead of the MOU signing, Mr Gordon said he welcomed the opportunity to showcase the excellent working relationship that the Co-op already had with North Coast TAFE.
"We're committed to the notion of locals supporting locals and this agreement is a clear signalling of that commitment," he said.