Edvance’s workplace training makes its mark at Hancocks

At their graduation ceremony, Hancocks Wine & Spirits Merchants’ employees are tasked to present on something they learnt during their 18 week programme. They are clearly nervous — feet shuffling, hands fisted over cue cards — but when they speak, their new-found understanding of communication, leadership, and conflict rings true.

According to Hancocks Owner Joe Jakicevich, this group of workers were once shy and struggled to greet him in hallways. “Prior to doing the Edvance programme, you cannot capture them looking you in the eye. But I watch them come up the stairs to the classroom on the first day to meet with their trainer, Tony, and over the weeks, their heads lift, their shoulders are back, and you can see the pride and confidence grow.”

Edvance approached Hancocks in 2022 and discussed how their workplace education offerings could meet the company’s need for internal growth. Since then, Edvance has averaged four classes a year, teaching their Workplace Communication Skills programme and their Skills for Leaders programme.

These programmes cover conflict management, effective communication, personality types, culture, and how to lead yourself and others. Trainer Tony Burnham tailors his teaching to meet each groups’ needs, ensuring that everyone leaves with valuable experience.

“The beauty of the courses is that not only do we see the benefit here at work, but we hear of them growing in their home, and with their own families. It is a 360° win for the learners, the employer, and the country,” says Jakicevich.

For most, public speaking is our number one fear, but Burnham encourages it at graduation as one last challenge. One student presents on the value of personal financial management. Another talks about the “cultural iceberg”, where colleagues’ backgrounds and values — that lie just below the surface of the water — influence their actions above water. At the end of the talks, the employees are teary-eyed and profuse gratitude for the training.

This group is employed in Hancocks’ warehouse, where they manage distributions, deliveries, and stock logistics. They are a diverse group in age and nationality, and many of the learners prior to their Edvance programme did not have positive associations with education. When they receive their certificate at the ceremony, it is sometimes the first that they have ever obtained.

Burnham says that the highlight of his year isn’t the annual work Christmas function, it is graduation. “Being their trainer is a real privilege. I don’t take it for granted. It is a sacred space where people are changing and trying to do better — be a better parent, a better child, a better friend, and a better employee. You can’t divorce those things, they are all integrated. They are becoming the best citizen they can be.”