FOUR Leek United Building Society employees are set to turn workplace teambuilding into a certified success – thanks to a special college course.

They have qualified in ‘Effective Coaching’, following two days of intensive workshops and tuition at Buxton & Leek College.

And the employees are now on course to get the best out of staff across the business with new skills, tools and techniques designed to help them build a flourishing, motivated team.

Craig Milner, the Society’s Mortgage Processing Manager – one of the four colleagues who completed the course – said: “Coaching is aimed at empowering staff, encouraging them to take ownership of issues, and working through to resolving those issues themselves whilst also having their manager there to support when required.

“Some of the techniques we learned are designed to help managers tackle workplace challenges in different ways, leading by example rather than using a ‘you will do it this way’ approach. It’s been a really useful and interesting experience.”

Kelly Heath, Leek United’s Learning & Development Adviser, said: “There is a strong learning culture throughout the Society, and we are always looking at new opportunities to help and encourage staff to develop.

“This course allowed a small group of employees to explore new ways of working, and provide them with ideas that they can then bring back and share with staff.”

Craig, Laura Allcock, Jo Cordall and Michelle Prince were presented with their ‘Effective Coaching’ certificates at Leek United’s Head Office by David Roberts, Business Development Manager at Buxton & Leek College.

David added: “’Effective Coaching’ is an initiative provided with the help of EU funding, and to date we have presented the course to more than 200 employees from a wide variety of different companies.”

“We already have established links with Leek United, having placed a number of apprentices with the Society in the past, and we hope the course will be of benefit.”

PICTURE CAPTION: Jo Cordall and Craig Milner receive their ‘Effective Coaching’ certificates from David Roberts (centre), of Buxton & Leek College.