THE MD
People Really Matter.
We are committed to this core Trojan value, and not simply because we are in the employment business. High levels of staff satisfaction play an integral role in delivering quality service to our clients.
Respect for people begins in our branches, with our own staff. Leading a team of more than 100 staff spread across 18 sites makes it a challenge to keep a finger on the pulse of staff sentiment. Our recent employee engagement survey provides a snapshot of where staff believe we are doing a good job, and what areas we need to improve upon to make our company an even better place to work.
With the growth of Trojan Workforce and the acquisition of Corus People Solutions, we also have a lot of new faces. While this reflects the transient nature of the recruitment industry, service length and turnover are always important issues. We are implementing ‘stay interviews’ (amongst other actions) to monitor satisfaction levels and increase retention, which we hope will translate to better candidate and client service.
And while individual branches work as cohesive teams, our staff desire more communication between branches and between the Corus and Trojan Workforce businesses. We’ll be putting strategies in place to make this happen.
Finally, as this is the last issue of Recruit News for 2007, on behalf of Trojan Recruitment Group I’d like to wish you a happy and safe Christmas.
Michael Cherry
Managing Director
MANAGEMENT SNAPSHOT
GAVIN BALDAN
Trojan Recruitment Group State Manager – Victoria
Gavin joined Trojan Recruitment Group in August. With a recruitment career that began at age 20, Gavin is enthusiastic about growing Trojan’s business and exceeding client and candidate expectations in Victoria.
Your best career advice?
Be true to your values. Mine are honesty, integrity and sincerity – in recruitment, sometimes you need to ‘tell it like it is’.
A career highlight?
Working for five days on an oil rig in Bass Strait, helping the chef prepare meals. I was flown in by helicopter! Another highlight was with Coca Cola as a previous client. I oversaw 1,000 warehousing staff for this iconic, well-known brand.
What do you enjoy about your job?
We have such a vibrant company and aggressively growing brand. There is a sense of excitement, and I support the MD and Board’s plans to expand our business. Trojan has great people who are proud of their heritage and excited about where we are going.
Tips for work/life balance?
I make a conscious effort to get away from it all by playing golf. It’s easier to be successful when you have energy and feel refreshed.
CLIENT SHOWCASE
LOCKER GROUP
As a critical upstream supplier to Australia’s engineering, architectural, mining and industrial sectors, Locker Group’s access to labour plays an integral role in their ability to share these sectors’ economic success.
The Locker Group success story is visible in many Australian capital cities. Its bright green perforated metal fence at Melbourne Museum’s kids’ play area complements the Museum’s architecturally designed façade, while providing security and privacy for children.
The delicate translucent ceiling in the Hilton Hotel ballroom in Adelaide and perforated ceiling tiles of the Australian Institute of Sport’s new swimming facility are also recognised as innovative solutions to design challenges. Locker Group’s hand at work again.
While the firm is a market leader, Locker Group’s Queensland plant faces the labour challenges shared by businesses across Australia. Unemployment in Queensland in September was 3.7 per cent, driven to record lows by factors including the skills shortage and resources boom.
“We recruit internally and undertake succession planning,” explains Paul Ingle, Group Human Resources Manager. “But sometimes you just need the right staff at the right time. That’s where recruiters come in.”
Trent Jones at Corus Queensland looks after Locker Group’s permanent recruitment. “We’ve filled positions such as production administrators, production managers, drafters, and team leaders,” Trent explains. “Corus’ expertise dovetails with Trojan’s labour hire services. From highly skilled professionals to qualified tradespeople, we provide a full range of recruitment solutions to our clients.”
Trojan and Corus’ ability to sell Locker Group as an attractive employer makes the hiring process more effective. “We supply the tools and information,” Paul explains, “but it is up to Trojan to promote our business without overpromising, overselling or being unrealistic.”
TROJAN TALKS SAFETY
Trojan Recruitment Group’s new Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) booklet has been released. It contains practical safety information and guidelines for all temporary and contract staff, including the following tips for safe lifting and manual handling:
- Use mechanical lifting devices and trolleyswhere possible
- Ask someone to help you lift
- Use gloves when handling metal withburrs, or sharp edges
- Follow the safe lifting guides
- Inspect lifting devices to ensure they are not damaged
- Report damaged lifting equipment to your client supervisor and ensure equipment is labeled ‘out of service’.
PERTH BOOMS
Resources isn’t the only business booming in Western Australia, with Trojan Recruitment Group’s Perth office capitalising on the vibrant economy.
Phillip De Ronchi has taken over the helm as Branch Manager for Corus and Trojan Workforce Perth. He is supported at Trojan Workforce by consultants Cassie Hense and Janice Millis. Corus is also expanding with Claire Miller-Smith recently joining Samantha Griffiths.
BEST FRIENDS AT WORK BAD FOR PRODUCTIVITY
While we all like having a friendly chat at the water cooler, a recent study has found that having a close friend at work can be a major distraction.
Excessive chatting, having too much fun and an inability to separate work from play were cited as contributing to a lack of focus by the 230 respondents to an Auckland University online study.
Giving critical feedback, wanting to avoid showing favouritism and issues with confidentiality were among the other difficulties with having a best friend at work.
Tips for workplace friendships:
- Be aware of how friendships can impact the workplace.
- Value friendship but be wary of making ‘best friends’ at work.
- Know your organisation’s polices regarding favouritism and confidentiality.
- Be open with your co-workers about what is work-related.