Stevedore Dave Noble has just completed the C3 Accerlerate Safety Leadership programme and says it was the perfect chance to brush up on his literacy skills. Photo/Supplied
Dave Noble left high school without any qualifications but now the stevedore's dream of becoming a foreman is one step closer after completing a workplace literacy programme.
"I can't spell to save myself," the 30-year-old said and if he was reading a training document "it takes me a couple of times to fully understand it".
By his own admission Mr Noble said he needed help to fulfil his career aspirations.
"I knew I had to re-educate myself to take advantage of work opportunities."
This week he will join 21 fellow Tauranga students when they graduate off the C3 Accelerate Safety Leadership programme.
C3 was awarded a Tertiary Education Commission Workplace Literacy fund employer grant in December last year and it had been used to roll out the programme to more than 50 staff across 14 of its New Zealand branches.
Chief executive Dean Camplin said it had been embraced by its employees.
"The course has given participants the confidence and the communication strategies required to influence the behaviour of others along with the ability to understand and effectively use workplace documentation to drive a more safety focused culture. It has raised their awareness of hazards and improved their ability to assess risk in this potentially dangerous environment.
"I've enjoyed reading their final reports and hearing about the positive changes they have made. I believe this has been a worthwhile investment and partnership between C3 Limited and the Tertiary Education Commission."
Meanwhile, Mr Noble said he felt confident taking part in the course and had learnt valuable skills. "The whole course was pretty enjoyable and it was great doing incidence reports and risk assessments. Plus we learnt about human behaviour, different personalities and how to interact with people."
However it was quite challenging putting that knowledge to the test at work, he said.
"You have to use your words correctly and give people a positive reinforcement before trying to correct an action they may have done. Depending on the person you may get a positive response but if that person is experienced on the job they may find it difficult to take feedback.
About two years ago Mr Noble made a five-year plan to progress up the ranks into a foreman's position and completing the programme meant that could be a reality in the future, he said.