Maximising potential Continuous development, maximising potential and finding your passion are all things that we, as a glass wall partitioning company, value greatly. Giving your employees the opportunity to expand their knowledge whilst having a positive impact on your business is one of the best things you can do for your company’s future growth. With so many options available, how do you know what’s best, for yourself as an individual or for your business? And once you’ve invested in an individual’s development, how do you retain them and prevent them from leaving? Investing in the future generations For us, the most significant investment we can make in terms of development and growth is into the next generation. Apprenticeships, graduate programmes and internships are just a few of the options now readily available. These are ideal for those looking to further their education whilst earning a wage. For industries that require an understanding of technical detail, like glass partitioning, investing in the next generation is key. In doing so you create industry experts that will grow with your business and amplify your brand. Growth in the business George, a Product Designer, started his journey with us in 2014, when he joined us as an Apprentice Design Engineer. “I spent time within the manufacturing space, learning the process and understanding the limitations of manufacturing. This prepared me to put that experience and knowledge into the products I would come to design and develop through my trainee role within the Product Design department, ensuring they are realistically obtainable within our environment. Within my Advanced Level Apprenticeship, I gained a level 3 NVQ in Design Engineering. Managing a full-time job and working towards my qualifications was challenging at times, but truly helped me not only develop a structure for working life but develop as a person.” For Rebekah Hughes, one of our Designers who joined us in July 2016, the opportunity to learn and grow with the business is what encourages her the most. Having joined with no prior experience within the glass partitioning industry, she has now developed the confidence to take on more challenging work, stretch her knowledge even further and continuously seek new areas to grow her understanding of the work we do, the work we could do and the industry itself. “We learn every day, there’s always something new coming up, there are always new challenges. Everyone is willing to help everyone else, everyone works as one big team. I think that’s the thing that’s different about the company.” Offer opportunities and listen From what we’ve learnt as a business, the worst thing you can do for your employees is let them become stagnant. Offer them growth, offer them the opportunity to develop and above all, listen to them when they have ideas on where and how they’d like to progress. Apprenticeship, graduate and other programmes work well for us because we believe in investing in our people and our tomorrow. Working in an industry so laden with creativity and innovation, you can’t afford to impede your own development.