The Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-11-05, Page 1181411CHGMPION
Development of
empioyeesstressed
GSS/We dnesday, Nov. 5, 1986
Training
Champion Road Machinery Ltd.
has carefully developed a skilled
labor force through an ambitious
training and development program
that reaches employees in all
departments.
A 20 -year employee with the
company, Rick Rompf now acts as
training co-ordinator and quality
circle facilitator. Now an integral
part Vt. humin resource
department, Rompf began working
at Champion in 1966 in the machine
shop, before moving on to become
supervisor and faciliator of the
company's quality circle program.
Officially launched in 1982, Quality
Circles had been under the direction
of Elgin Fisher for two years before
Rompf took over. Last year he also
assumed responsibility for training
and was project co-ordinator for the
Job Development Program
sponsored by the federal
government. More than 100
employees received extensive
training at the company's new
facility through a $2.5 million
program in co-operation with'
Employment Canada.
Development opportunities, the
suggestion program and quality
circles, have all impacted on the
employee -company relationship,
Rompf says, adding that it has
enhanced the cost efficiency of the
operation.
"Quality Circles was introduced in
1982 and there was potential savings
of hundreds of thousands of dollars,"
i1r at %nuiaiici;u. ��� J�='� '=� like th
help us to wojk better. It's
participative management and
taking an active role. People are
happier if they can play an active
role in the company."
With so many changes taking
place within the manufacturing
sector with respect to the
implementation of MRP II, the
addition of new equipment and co-
ordinating the job development
program, Rick has relinquished his
quality circle role as facilitator to
Jack Grace, former plant manager
who came out of retirement to
administer the quality circle and
suggestion programs.
Concentrating on job training and
development programs for the
Employment Minister Flora MacDonald, toured Champion's new train-
ing centre in May.
employees, to bolster the skill and
talent pool of the employee base to
meet the challenges of changing
technology.
"The company has always been
people oriented and believed in
'people power" he said. "We're
constantly monitoring programs for
training and development because
it's an important part of what we do.
We're always looking for programs
and trying to get courses for people
on the floor to develop skill levels,"
Many of the programs are offered
in co-operation with community
colleges and are, at times, tailored
to meet specific needs and
challenges.
"Training has become a big part
of our business because of new
technology and methods," Rick said
TRANSPORT
TORONTO GODERICH
MILTON HAMILTON
iantarg Tlub.
0 Gob rit
The Rotary Club of Goderich is very
pleased to have this opportunity to
extend congratulations to
CHAMPION...
We also wish to acknowledge, with
gratitude, the generous support of
the Sully Foundation in furthering
the, cultural life of Goderich and
District. The Foundation's continu-
ing support of the London Sym-
phony Concerts which the Rotary
Club sponsors, makes the program
possible:
J.H. Aitken, President
Dr. Bruce Thomasson Secretary