Deane Apparel

The client

Deane Apparel is New Zealand's largest marketer of uniforms, corporate wardrobes and work wear. It has factories in Auckland and Christchurch.

The challenge

Many of the company's employees do not have English as a first language. Deane Apparel wanted to be able to promote their existing employees so they could utilise those employees' knowledge of the business. Low language and literacy skills prevented them promoting employees into positions of greater responsibility. The company knew that recruiting externally meant a slow and expensive learning period for new employees.

The company also needed greater job flexibility so people could take on new tasks. The increasing level of complexity of the job meant that wastage was high when an error occurred and customer service was badly affected.

Practical, sustainable solutions

Workbase developed a training programme that assisted employees to:

• Understand written and oral instructions
• Calculate orders and stock requirements
• Make themselves understood to other staff and customers
• Communicate effectively by phone
• Participate appropriately in team and other meetings
• Accurately complete company documentation (e.g. warehouse and production orders)

Great results

Significant improvements were seen after the workplace training programme began.  These included:

• Dropping error rates and returns
• Reduced wastage and time spent sorting out issues.
• Increased internal promotion
• Increased staff moral and job enthusiasm
• Increased loyalty to the company
• Improved customer service

 

Watch Deane Apparel's 'Growing Staff Potential' Video

Watch Deane Apparel's 'Improving Productivity' Video