6. Provide value for the customer Quality Improvement Fix problems in the supply chain “Everyday we work to be the best we can be.” Culture of Learning and Effective Communciation
7. Learning together - suppliers and customers (GennieHimmelman) ELCO’s Longevity
8. “As a company we have survived because of our quality product and our ability to service our customers’ needs. We regard our employees as the people who achieved the level of quality and customer satisfaction this company provides.” ELCO’s Longevity
17. Informal Learning in the Workplace Reflections in context with ElmsdaleLumber Co. Ltd. May 25, 2011
Editor's Notes
Elmsdale Lumber Co. Ltd. is the only sawmill in Nova Scotia to maintain full production (no layoffs) throughout the “perfect storm” created by the economic down turn and the U.S. housing crisis. ELCO, a fourth generation family-owned lumber production facility with 47 full time, year round employees operating on a single shift, five days a week producing 25 million board feet (fbm) annually. ELCO believes continuous learning give their company a leading edge. The investment in learning and development has included formal training i.e. forestry technicians and programs with workplace literacy and Essential Skills components and is complimented by informal learning.ELCO’s approach to informal learning is that it’s a part of their culture-- embracing informal learning in their day-to-day life--the benefit it has brought to the company is what we’d like to share.
00:04Elmsdale Lumber Co. Ltd. is the only sawmill in Nova Scotia to maintain full production (no layoffs) throughout the “perfect storm” created by the economic down turn and the U.S. housing crisis. ELCO, a fourth generation family-owned lumber production facility with 47 full time, year round employees operating on a single shift, five days a week producing 25 million board feet (fbm) annually. ELCO believes continuous learning give their company a leading edge. The investment in learning and development has included formal training i.e. forestry technicians and programs with workplace literacy and Essential Skills components and is complimented by informal learning.ELCO’s approach to informal learning is that it’s a part of their culture-- embracing informal learning in their day-to-day life--the benefit it has brought to the company is what we’d like to share.
01:37Formal learning typically has a credential attached to it and most often takes place within a recognized institution, such as a college, university, or industry training facility. Formal learning can also include programs which emphasize *Essential Skills. *Essential Skills are defined by Human Resources & Skills Development Canada as a foundation for learning all other skills and to help people evolve with their jobs and adapt to workplace change. Informal learning encourages, fosters, develops a communication network that is used to improve workplace practices whether process practices, improved communication practices, or supervisory skills practices. There may be no documentation to measure this type of learning.
06:42ELCO strives to have employees feel they are connected and valued, as well as providing value and service to the customer, suppliers, and community to maintain an effective network and continuously learn and improve.Narrative: GennieHimmelmanSituation—visiting suppliers – on-site and off-siteSitatuion – harvesting appreciationELCO’s culture is that everyone is engaged—”we’re all in this together, customers, suppliers, the neighbourhoodare part of the process. Simple principle in the supply chain, if we do wrong to our employees, customer, suppliers, we have to fix it.”
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13:22Their informal learning culture not only provides learning to employees, but also to suppliers. ELCO took this unique approach – they provided an opportunity or suppliers to learn about their operations.Narrative: GennieHimmelmanType of informal learning: networking, performance planningResults: This year, able to maintain full production.
13:54Narrative: GennieHimmelmanType of informal learning: networking, performance planningResults: This year, able to maintain full production.
18:05Learning is how you compete. ELCO encourages learning—people naturally want to learn. They are curious. Informal learning happens by watching and learning how the operation comes together while doing the work.By handling the tools—what’s being learned? Quotes:“You can’t stop learning ,even if you wanted to, it’s natural to learn”“I left school in Grade 11, but I’ve gone to school ever since at ELCO.”
20:17Which one is the supervisor?Informal learning: trial and error, coaching and mentoring by the millwright—working as team to solve the problem.Situation: GennieRole of management – front
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22:59 ELCO’s recipe for effective training is to deliver, demonstrate, do, evaluate, observe, revisit, provide feedback, and follow-up—a continuous learning loop. Building workers skills happens as a result of learning—Gennie (3 messages: people, performance, and productivity)Situations: Cross trainingMillwright – graphed performance/analysis – switch up after lunchLearning – hands-on and good solid communications, in the exchange of information there is good learning.Business need – recognized need to improve process, communication, coaching/mentoring/trust
23:30How informal learning adds – creates value added at ELCOGennieGennie continues to talk about valued added product $320 mfbm to $410-460 mfbmInformal Learning—research/learn by experimentingKnowledge of we can do—yes, we can, but we need to talk about –to solve problems, make decisions…trial in the kiln
27:28 OutputGenerates pride in the companyResult of
27:45Did informal learning in the workplace make a difference?Gennie: Absolutely, success happens in a culture that has been polished and mentoried achieve this---take for example, the situation in which we had to select—one employee who at first glance didn’t have the skill set…Benefit of value of informal learning – perceptionClosePartnership in Learning and development : management team/workersPeople of who value and champion learning—commitment to the workforce and the community. Focus of great managers – provide clear expectations around performances, ensure employees have the opportunity to do their best, they are valued and receive recognition for their knowledge—and encourages learning and development—formal and informal. ELCO is the only company….
