“Home‐grown” managers plug skill gap at Greenwich Leisure: … while academy gives the young a sporting chance of success

Abstract

Purpose

Describes two award‐winning programmes, run by Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL), which are helping the organisation to meet skill shortages.

Design/methodology/approach

Draws on information provided by the GLL human‐resources director, in the organisation's submission to the National Training Awards.

Findings

Shows that GLL's trainee‐management scheme has helped the organisation to “home grow” more than 40 managers from among its graduate employees, while its Recreation Assistant Academy has trained as recreation assistants 140 learners recruited from the hard‐to‐reach or disadvantaged with low esteem, unemployed young people and those not in training.

Practical implications

Describes ways of combating skill shortages for two very different groups of workers.

Originality/value

Highlights the emphasis placed on employee development at GLL, which is a staff‐led, not‐for‐profit trust that reinvests its surpluses in facilities and in its employees.

Citation

(2006), "“Home‐grown” managers plug skill gap at Greenwich Leisure: … while academy gives the young a sporting chance of success", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 14 No. 6, pp. 21-22. https://doi.org/10.1108/09670730610690330