The Palmerston North-based linen and laundry services provider has been working with Education Unlimited since 2019, building capability and knowledge across its 120-strong team. It hasn’t always been easy, especially in times of staff shortages and Covid-19, but Allied Laundry’s commitment to upskilling their staff has always remained steadfast.

Why? Because as Chief Executive Mark Mabbett explains, there’s nothing more important than investing in your greatest asset.

“Allied Laundry is really one of the last employers of unskilled labour in the region. Quite a few people we employ have fallen through the cracks of the education system and we felt we owed it to our staff, many of whom may never have an opportunity to upskill. We also knew it would lift skills, organisational knowledge, camaraderie and productivity across the processing floor,” says Mark.

“You can always find an excuse not to do something – you’re too busy, you don’t have the resources, you’re short of staff. But this is something you’ve got to do – if you can’t override all the excuses you will never do anything. And despite the challenges, the benefits have been significant.”

Initially Education Unlimited was brought in to provide numeracy and literacy support to staff working towards their Level 2 National Certificate in Manufacturing. 

“I noticed some of the learners were struggling with some of the concepts and their literacy and numeracy abilities were being challenged, so we approached Education Unlimited to develop and run a literacy and numeracy programme, alternating weekly with the NZQA training.”

This training not only reinforced but also enhanced the learning, and so the REAL (Renew and Empower Allied Laundry) Programme was born. This programme enabled participants to gain tangible literacy and numeracy skills that were not just valuable for work but also directly transferable into their personal lives. In fact it had such a positive impact that Allied Laundry has continued to work with Education Unlimited ever since, expanding the training opportunities to also include Level 3 leadership and a tailormade workplace culture programme.

“Education Unlimited has been fantastic. Without their commitment, knowledge and programme delivery performance we would not have the workforce we have now. This training has empowered staff to progress in their roles and take on more responsibility - it’s made a real difference to their lives. For example, one staff member says they can now read books to their grandchildren. We have seen significant benefits for staff awareness and skills both at work and at home, and workplace participation and knowledge has increased significantly.”

For Education Unlimited General Manager – Operations, Maureen Hamahona, Allied Laundry is a shining of example of why businesses should invest in upskilling their teams.

“I tell learners on the REAL Programme ‘you don’t know how lucky you are to have an employer who invests in you’,” says Maureen. “While Allied Laundry received funding for literacy and numeracy, they invested in the cultural awareness training themselves. This is fantastic. Some businesses just won’t train if the funding is not there, but Allied Laundry saw the benefits first-hand and knew it was a worthwhile investment.”

Education Unlimited creates and delivers customised workplace training that meets the unique needs of each individual business, and that’s what makes it so effective.

“We focus a lot on tailormade training because it has to be fit for purpose. Every business has different needs and requirements and every learner who steps through the training room door is different too. We work with a lot of people who didn’t thrive at school so there is often resistance when they start training, but we just tell them ‘bring your whole self and let’s unpack the barriers’.

“We want them to have the opportunity to provide ideas to the business, we want them to grow their confidence, we want them to stand tall, smile and receive their certificates. We don’t have a magic wand, but what we do have is the tools. We’re only one part of the picture though – the employer is the other part. That’s why we love working with Allied Laundry so much because they follow through and they’re genuinely committed to investing in their people.”

Ka pai Allied Laundry. You really are an inspiration. 

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