Over the next 12 months, all Olive’s 160 staff will attend bespoke training sessions delivered by skills development company Space2. They have worked collaboratively with Olive to devise 32 different learning modules, tailored to suit different business functions within Olive.
Delivered in three different formats, the training will start with employees taking part in classroom-style workshop exercises, followed by one-to-one training sessions to further instil the learning a few weeks later. Finally, telephone training will be used to follow up and ensure the teaching has been put into practice, reinforcing an ongoing learning process.
It is the first time Olive has invested in its people in an holistic way since its formation in 2003. It is a key part of Olive’s desire to make it the destination of choice for top talent within the telecoms and technology channel.
Olive chief executive Martin Flick said: “The Olive Academy is an exciting and expansive project that shows our commitment and desire to invest in our staff. We recognise that the success of Olive, and our ability to provide the highest levels of customer service, relies on the success and skills of our people. We believe the training will also inspire and reinforce a real sense of togetherness within the business, as well as supporting personal development.”
Flick continues: “This isn’t a ‘one-size fits all approach’ either, as much like our customers, everyone within Olive is different. That’s why they all have their own individually structured training programme that will enable them to grow in their roles and develop new skills, and help them build their career.”
The launch of the Olive Academy coincides with Olive bolstering its HR function, with the arrival of a new Olive HR Manager Nick Evans, who joins after seven years at online retailer Shop Direct in a similar role. Evans has joined at an exhilarating time for Olive, who are in midst of a major recruitment drive, following a recent office move to its new 7,000 square feet HQ in High Wycombe.
Evans commented: “Joining Olive is an exciting move for me with the huge appeal of a rapidly expanding and ambitious environment to work within. I want to make both a personal and professional impact at Olive and work with the team here to help the business reach its long-term objectives.”