Claes Gefvenberg said:
As a part of our introduction programme I get the opportunity to meet each and every one of them. Those meetings usually last about an hour, and I feel that I'm really able to convey the message in that time. Those meetings are true two way communication. The newbies have vastly different backgrounds, and the way I convey the message differs accordingly.
Basically I make certain that they know their way around the procedures in general (Their managers handle the ones they are going to use in particular), and above all I try to make them understand *why* they should follow procedures.
That's pretty similar to our set-up, too, Claes. Introducing new people to our company's QMS is customized depending upon the person's background knowledge. Many people in a labourers position, however, have minimal exposure to a QMS...at least in my geographical region.
New personnel get a two-part presentation. The first meeting takes 30 - 40 minutes and has been nicknamed "Light and Fluffy."
It is a PowerPoint presentation that provides a bit of background info on ISO, a QMS, and what the overall structure of the QMS is here at my company. I talk briefly about the training process, audits, and management commitment. At the end of the first meeting, I review their control plan (i.e., documents that affect them) and show them how to access their documentation via the computer. The "Light and Fluffy" usually occurs within the first 3 - 4 days of starting in their new position.
After two weeks, they then receive Part II...nicknamed "Policies and Procedures." This is a totally customized presentation, dependent upon what position the individual is in. My department has developed a matrix that shows all the positions within the company along one axis and all of the ISO 9001 Elements along the other axis. We then state to what degree a person in that position needs to understand that Element.
- F - Familiar - Employee needs to be aware that this Element applies to the company (not necessarily his/her position)
- U - Use - Employee uses this Element on a daily basis (not necessarily knowingly - eg. Document Control)
- M - Master - Employee needs to be aware of the "shall's" in this Element and that s/he has a strong impact on the application of this Element in his/her area
- N - N/A - Element is not applicable
Examples, specific to the company and the individual's postion, are provided throughout this presentation to help reinforce the degree to which the Element needs to be understood/applied.
"Policies and Procedures" training usually takes around one hour with new personnel. It is also provided to transferred employees at the discretion of QA and HR - facts such as the last time the employee was trained in QMS and the differences between the postions are considered.
