Post NL

Improving performance and increasing job satisfaction were PostNL's goals when the organization teamed up with TopTaal in 2015. Yvette Burger, Learning & Development Specialist, talks about her experiences with TopTaal.

Yvette: 'We employ many staff members of non-Dutch origin. At times, their proficiency in the Dutch language is insufficient for effective communication. We noticed that there were many employees who wanted to improve their Dutch and were keen to develop further. For that reason, PostNL went looking for in-company language training that would perfectly align with PostNL's needs. PostNL wanted to be unburdened by an expert partner. The training courses PostNL now uses are fully customized and always start with an individual intake to determine language level and learning ability.'

Practical assignments
During a workplace study, TopTaal identifies the language tasks in the work environment and discusses with the client which competencies are important for the employees. Together with PostNL work documents, this forms the basis for the customized curriculum. Lessons take place at a fixed time each week. To create a link with the work environment, employees carry out practical assignments. For example, they learn to ask for help and explanation when they do not understand work instructions, which further increases the learning impact.

Career growth
Yvette is very positive about TopTaal. 'Within PostNL, the Learning & Development department has undergone a transition, giving Learning & Development more of a directing and advisory role. For this way of working to be successful, good cooperation with the business and training partners, including TopTaal, is of great importance. TopTaal takes a lot of work off our hands and is very flexible and independent in organizing and conducting the training. In addition, we have regular contact with TopTaal's training advisor to evaluate and refine the collaboration where necessary. So far, TopTaal has been able to help us with every request within the company.'

That is also what Yvette Burger looks for in a training provider: 'We don't want to work with suppliers, but with real training partners who go beyond delivery and evaluation, who truly think along with issues and with whom you build a relationship of trust. When things go well, you share the success. If things aren't going as well for a moment, you must be able to solve it together adequately. I need to be able to rely on a training partner.'
According to the L&D Specialist, the students are also very pleased with the training. 'After a training course, they talk more easily and more often with other colleagues. Moreover, they understand work instructions faster. By speaking better Dutch, you can grow further within PostNL. You also make a better impression outside of PostNL. Both at work and in their private lives, for example in a supermarket, colleagues now find it much easier to make contact.'
The demand for language training within PostNL is increasing. Furthermore, many employees want to participate more than once. This indicates that the training aligns well with the needs within PostNL. 'An example of this is our Technical Operator Ali. He wanted to continue learning. He is doing so, successfully. Because when there are malfunctions in the sorting machines now, Ali can communicate faster to reach solutions.'

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