Ktp Associate Is Recipe For Success At Family Bakery

Ktp Associate Is Recipe For Success At Family Bakery

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Fosters ambitious growth strategy was threatened by a number of factors. The bakery had not been seen as an industry of choice in the Barnsley area, and in the past, the best people were not attracted to the company. Further, Fosters had a number of serious HR problems, which were associated with a lack of dedicated knowledge and expertise.

These included very high labour turnover and high levels of absenteeism, which had a detrimental impact on productivity and performance.

In one of the first HR management Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP), Associate Sarah Carmody has now been working with the company for almost two years helping to set up a complete HR function, enabling the bakery to accomplish its growth objectives.

Key achievements include significantly reduced absenteeism and disciplinary proceedings, plus a vast improvement in the staff turnover rate. Sarah has also worked to continue and develop the firms progressive policies of employing ex-offenders and migrant workers.

Fosters is now planning to apply for Investors in People accreditation and has also won the Food Manufacture Excellence Award for Diversity in Recruitment, for its work with migrant labour, ex-offenders, schools, colleges and universities.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships are a government-backed initiative that
enables companies of all sizes to utilise the scientific and business
knowledge of UK universities to further their organisation, whilst
providing graduates with the opportunity to develop their skills in a real
life working environment.

Michael Taylor the Operations Manager at Fosters Bakery said:

'Sarah's involvement has allowed us to make a step change in our approach to human resource management, introducing comprehensive policies and procedures, which have brought significant benefits to our business.'

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships arent just a work experience programme by working together, the participating organisations and individuals each gain benefits that have a lasting influence on their future.

Fosters Bakery have benefited from two years dedicated human resources support from Sarah Carmody, backed up by the expertise of her academic supervisors at Sheffield Hallam, Professor Liz Doherty and Ann Norton.

Sarah has gained a vast amount of experience and said, Its been a totally different environment from what I was used to very hands-on with the chance to get involved in all sorts of things. Its been a steep learning curve but Ive really enjoyed it.

Sheffield Hallam University has also gained from the experience which has given the academic team the opportunity to reflect on what theyve learned about strategic HR management in a small to medium sized business. That learning is being shared through internal seminars, presentations to industry and at academic conferences.

About the Author:
Professor Alan Smith is the Director of Studies in the Materials and Engineering Research Institute within Sheffield Hallam University.
For further information, contact (Alan Smith, or visit the KTP page)



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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