Training the next generation

Paul Fincham started his career in transport as a dispatcher almost 30 years ago. While “trainer” has never been in his official title, over the years it’s become a fundamental part of his role.

So much so, he’s the most recent winner of the MITO Outstanding Contribution to Training Award, announced at Transporting New Zealand’s June conference.

“It was just an honour to be nominated, let alone to win it,” he said later in his office at KAM’s first depot in Wellington.

“I love the transport industry, which is why I’ve been in it so long.”

One perk of the job is seeing younger people progress in their career too, especially when it’s clear they really enjoy the job.

Before his tenure at KAM began seven years ago, Paul spent 21 years at Mainfreight.

He started out “sweeping the floors” but gradually worked his way up into management positions.

During that time, Paul taught local students who came straight to the depot from school or rugby how to stack and unpack pallets and operate forklifts.

KAM Transport credits its status as an entry point into the transport industry to Paul’s leadership. By retaining smaller trucks within the fleet, Paul has created opportunities for people to gain employment while progressively working through the licence classes required to operate bigger trucks and trailers.

In the last few years, Paul has secured financial support for three drivers to progress through to their Class 5 licences. He also supported multiple employees through formal industry training programmes, including MITO’s Commercial Road Transport micro-credentials and Heavy Vehicle Operator Level 3 qualifications.

His commitment to professional development goes beyond driving, too, having supported a coolstore staff member through their Certificate in Business Communications.

He’s passionate about developing people and sharing what is now a huge amount of experience and knowledge in the field. Both his sons have chosen to be in the industry, one at KAM’s Wellington branch too as Operations Manager and one at Mainfreight.

Paul says you can tell when someone’s got a real love for the industry like he does – “whether it’s driving the trucks, getting their licenses all the way up to Class 5 and doing linehaul, or a different pathway through operations or through dispatch.”

The importance of team culture

KAM’s General Manager, Bill Bamber says their parent company, the Preston Corp Group, is very good at seeing the potential in people and giving them the right opportunities. “They know that their people are what makes the business; that’s why they’ve been around for over 120 years.”

For example, KAM engages workers through the Release to Work programme, helping people to gain valuable skills and experience, and better enabling them to reintegrate into society.

The Preston Corp Group’s impressive retention rates are also testament to the benefit of investing in your people. Thirty-nine per cent of staff across the four brands have been on board for five years or longer; and 17% have stayed for between 10-26 years. In fact, one driver recently celebrated 25 years with the company.

Paul himself implemented the “Wall of Legends” initiative at his branch, displaying employees’ long service certificates and professional accomplishments. It’s just one example of how he consistently celebrates staff achievements and shares these successes both internally and externally. The success of this initiative has seen the Wall of Legends rolled out in KAM depots nationwide.

Paul’s top piece of advice for those entering the sector was to “stick with it.”

“The transport industry will always be around, so make a career out of it.” Truer words!

Interested in gaining a qualification in Commercial Road Transport?

Check out the programmes that MITO has to offer here.