Leadership training to inspire hire teams

HRIA’s training partner, Strategic Alignment Training recently welcomed Paula Lloyd as its new operations manager.

Paula’s role is to manage and oversee the specialised programs offered to HRIA members, through the association’s training partnership.

“Paula brings a depth of experience, having spent 16 years working in the hire and rental industry, including being a member of the HRIA Victorian State Committee,” said Aileen Hiskins, the founder of Strategic Alignment Training. “Paula was at Waverley Forklifts for more than 14 years and has also worked at inspHire Software.”

Strategic Alignment Training works closely with the hire industry to ensure members have access to relevant learning experiences. Their courses are aimed at all employee levels, to build leadership capability.

The Women in Hire and Access, and the Young Professional Network Leadership programs have seen participants grow their selfawareness while establishing connections with mentors who generously share their professional experiences.

Managing work friends

‘Mate2Manager’ is a program Strategic Alignment Training specifically designed for the hire industry. The value of promoting from within is highly recognised in hire, but the reality of managing your mates can be a challenge.

While researching this program, HRIA members shared with Strategic Alignment Training their personal examples of workplace issues. The feedback received included, “I promoted my best mechanic to workshop manager, and he left because managing his mates was too hard”; “I got the leadership role that my mate also applied for, how do I lead him?”; and “I wish I knew how to set clearer boundaries between friendship and being a manager”.

Paula Lloyd

The training prepares leaders to coach and develop a team by having a tough conversation, addressing performance issues, inspiring individuals, setting goals, and building a great team.

“Mate2Manager is a practical leadership program, offered face to face or online, covering topics such as managing your mates, understanding yourself and your impact on others, how to create a high-performance team, how to teach not tell, and how to manage workplace priorities,” said Paula. “While it was designed for those new to leadership, managers from all levels have attended and benefitted.”

Some highlights from participant testimonials are:

“I have a greater relationships and mutual respect from my co-workers, and no matter what problems may arise, we work through them together. I value their input and we resolve issues together.”

“The good thing is that I have recently employed a couple of new technicians and as a result of the training and methods I have been able to put into practice, my senior guys are passing down the same philosophy and methods that I was taught onto their new employees.”

“This has made it easier for me to supervise my mechanics and they have been given the confidence to share their input. Regardless how left-field it may be, no suggestion is dismissed as they are all included in discussions we need to have. It has also had a positive impact on my life as I’m less stressed over things I can’t control. I’m in a good place at the moment and communication is great between my guys out in the engine room, and with my managers.” HATS

The HRIA Apprenticeship and Trainee Scheme, known as HATS, is a virtual program for those new to the hire industry. Participants work towards a nationally accredited Certificate III in Business, while gaining specific knowledge from expert guest presenters.

“HATS offers participants the opportunity to build strong networks across the industry,” said Paula.

HRIA members who enrol new staff in the HATS program prior to June 30, 2022, may attract wage subsidies of 50 percent or up to $7,000 per quarter for 12 months.

Participants from the 2021 HATS program gave positive feedback to Strategic Alignment Training about their improved confidence and connections, with one student saying, “This industry is so dynamic, I want to stay in it.”

To learn more email Paula Lloyd at paula@sa-training.com.au.