Creating Better Communication through Customized Training. Growing and distributing 600 varieties of heirloom seeds is both easy and profitable for the staff at Seed Saver in Decorah. Growing their employee’s skills, however, hasn’t been so easy.
CELINA PEERMAN, PH.D. BCS INSTRUCTOR
“We were stuck,” said Seed Saver Deputy Director Lynne Filling. “Our team of almost 70 employees each have very different skill-sets and our leaders struggled to figure out how to best share information with each of them.”
That’s when Lynne and her team reached out to Northeast Iowa Community College. Celina Peerman, Ph.D., an instructor through the College’s Business and Community Solutions division, stepped in to help correct the company’s personnel issues. She serves as a neutral third party to help solve conflicts and create solutions.
“The struggle for companies that rely only on OTJ is the learning curve for new employees. That is an important part of Henderson’s training approach also, but it works even better when employees can ask questions and learn concepts in class and lab work,” Harms stated. Harms explained that he is currently teaching courses for individuals who are at about the same level of welding ability. “Henderson Products and I have worked very closely on the teaching content. It’s important for instructors to meet the needs of local industry,” he said.
THE COLLEGE IS READY TO WORK WITH YOUR COMPANY’S CUSTOMIZED TRAINING NEEDS. INFO-CIRCLE www.nicc.edu/customized-solutions
“Through our conversations Celina determined exactly what we needed to make changes. She’s extremely helpful,” said Lynne. Lynne says Seed Saver leaders now have a better understanding of what’s appropriate to share with employees and are committed to better communication. “We still have a lot of work to do, but thanks to Celina being available to us whenever we need her, we are moving in the right direction,” said Lynne.
IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN A CUSTOMIZED SOLUTION FOR YOUR BUSINESS, CONTACT ALISON.
User Alison Holten Envelope holtena@nicc.edu phone 844.642.2338, ext. 4103
INFO-CIRCLE www.nicc.edu/solutions / phone 844.642.2338, ext. 1399
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