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Operator Talent: training operators and mechanics for the needs of our customers
The Operator Talent training programme started from Ponsse Uruguay’s initiative to meet customer needs by starting a training tour. The programme finds, selects, and trains forest machine operators and service mechanics.
Both operators and service mechanics are vital for logging. As a market grows, so does the need for competent workers. This may pose a great challenge for finding trained and skilled employees.
Ponsse has always sought to provide its customers with solutions and services that meet the needs of sustainable forestry. For many years, one of our solutions has been the Ponsse Academy, which is our internal training system for operators and mechanics.
URUGUAY TRIES SOMETHING DIFFERENT
With the upcoming opening of the second pulp mill of UPM, potential was seen in preparing for the coming situation. This gave rise to the idea of the Operator Talent programme. The training programme was to be open for all: anyone who wished to train as a forest machine operator or service mechanic could sign up. The first part was for testing the participants to select the candidates who could complete the full programme and training.
Training tours were organised in 2021 and 2022 by the Ponsse Uruguay training team, who visited locations important for our customers’ operations to offer the training programme. More than 1,200 people signed up during these two years and tours.
THREE STAGES
The training programme had three stages. The first stage included a psychological test that gauged the aptitude of the candidates for the work. Those who qualified for the second stage could demonstrate their abilities in a The Operator Talent training programme started from Ponsse Uruguay’s initiative to meet customer needs by starting a training tour. The programme finds, selects, and trains forest machine operators and service mechanics. forest machine simulator. The candidates who made it to the third stage received training. They were given a choice between two free training courses: forest machine operator or service mechanic. So far, 135 people have completed the training and many of them now work for Ponsse customers in different parts of Uruguay.
Equality was given priority in the training’s implementation. Every part of the training was organised so that the participants did not have to travel anywhere in order to participate. This was done to offer every candidate an equal opportunity to take part in the training.
WALTER CALCERRADA
OWNER, LECAL SRL
Operator Talent was a unique and innovative solution to a challenge. It was our first time participating in a project like this and our experiences were really good. We found skilled employees through the programme and today we have seven forest machine operators who are graduates of the Ponsse programme. We hired them eight months ago and everything has gone smoothly. Their skills are almost on par with our most experienced operators. This was without a doubt a useful solution for us: we found skilled operators, and the Ponsse team provided helpful support during the process.
LEONARDO APARICIO
FOREST MACHINE OPERATOR, LECAL SRL
I’m Leonardo Aparicio from the city of Polanco, close to the city of Lavalleja in Uruguay. Currently, I work as a forest machine operator for Lecal SRL thanks to the Operator Talent programme organised by Ponsse Uruguay in 2021. I found out about the training tour through social media and decided to sign up. The stages of the programme were challenging. The experience was very important for me and the community of my hometown: even people from small towns could participate in the programme without having to travel a long way or pay to participate. This was unprecedented. The trainers and the work done by the Ponsse team were impressive, as was the content of the training. It was an unforgettable experience!