Developed in partnership with the HR Dept, a human resources consultancy specialising in advice and support for small and medium-sized businesses, the initiative is seeking to build an employee engagement and development framework that addresses the skills gap while fostering personal and professional growth among employees.
The programme also includes workshops on financial well-being, career development and building positive habits, laying the groundwork for comprehensive employee growth. ‘Be Better’ will also develop a behavioural competency framework, outlining the ‘softer’ but critical skills for recruitment, day-to-day interactions and development. This framework focuses on the ‘how’ of employee behaviours, not just the ‘what’ of task execution, promoting a culture of continuous improvement.
“For more than half a century, BEP has worked hard to remain at the leading edge of the surface engineering sector through our investment in people, processes, and products," said Andrew McClusky, managing director of BEP Surface Technologies. "But like the rest of the engineering and manufacturing sectors, recruiting and retaining skilled talent has been a battle.”
“The ‘Be Better’ programme is a step forward in overcoming this challenge to maintaining our legacy. This programme aims to offer our valued team members a pathway to continuous personal and professional growth opportunities and for potential recruits to see the benefits of working for BEP. We aim to build a more dynamic, committed workforce, driving long-term sustained business success.”
‘Be Better’ is said to tackle multiple facets of personal and professional growth, including empowering employees to support their families, friends, and colleagues more effectively; promoting physical and mental well-being through healthy lifestyle choices and resilience-building; offering guidance on career development and achieving work-life balance; enhancing financial literacy to prepare for life beyond work; fostering an inclusive culture that values diversity; and emphasising a commitment to environmental sustainability and workplace safety.
With voluntary participation, the programme allows employees to engage in areas that align with their personal and career aspirations.
Jill Bottomley, director of the HR Department in Trafford and Warrington, collaborated with BEP to align the programme with the company’s strategic objectives.
“We aim to develop a sustainable strategy that supports the attraction, growth and retention of key talent within BEP,” explained Bottomley. “The programme has been developed based on data and inputs collected over several years to help identify and nurture emerging leaders. By understanding what drives each individual and focusing on their unique strengths, we build a more engaged and future-ready workforce.”
