Frontline Management training helps realise staff potential at Tiwest

Marty McLaughlin and Hayley Toms

Watching students develop their frontline management skills at various Tiwest operations has been a privilege for Di Robertson-Smith, assessor for UNE Partnerships. “We have had students move into superintendent, supervisory and management roles,” Di said. “It is very rewarding to see people realise their potential and utilise the tools from their frontline management qualifications to become excellent leaders.”

One example is Marty McLaughlin from Tiwest Northern Operations. When Marty commenced his studies in 2006 he worked as a grade one in Production Services at the Tiwest Cooljarloo Mine site. “His application and commitment to improvement was exceptional,” Di said. “He was innovative in his approach and demonstrated effective and strong leadership qualities.” Marty completed his Certificate IV in Frontline Management in mid 2007, and was promoted to a Frontline Management training helps realise staff potential at Tiwest supervisory role in production services, after being able to practically demonstrate his new skills.

Today, Marty is the safety superintendent at the Tiwest Cooljarloo Mine Site. His thirst for learning has not stopped and he now proudly displays his Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety and will continue his leadership development by commencing a Diploma in Management during 2010.

Marty’s wonderful rapport with everyone on site has meant that he is able to achieve excellent results in safety innovation and leadership at the mine.

“I believe there is always something I can learn,” said Marty. “Every day produces its challenges in this safety role. We need to be constantly seeking new improvements to ensure our team at the mine are working safely. The mining industry is constantly changing and it is Marty McLaughlin and Hayley Toms becoming more demanding. We need to be confident in the way we lead. Frontline management has provided me with the tools to take on these challenges.”

So confident is Marty that the frontline management training is the right foundation to leadership development that he has enrolled members of his team to undertake UNE Partnerships’ Certificate IV in Frontline Management.