Edvance commenced with workplace based training for Excell, Tauranga in October 2006. Initially three emoployees were identified for training ranging from basic literacy and numeracy; grammar, spelling, writing, comprehension and language; and supervisory skills.

The training, based on Excell processes and procedures involving every day activities and scenarios, produced very positive results. Significant improvements were noticed in the trainees:

- Ability to do the associated administration work
- Communication with colleagues, supervisors and managers
- Work planning and programming
- Work methodologies
- Attitutes – positively motivated to set and achieve goals.

These employees have been empowered to realise their value to the organisation and have been motivated to work on continuous improvement, not only in the workplace, but also in their personal situations.

As a result of this a further thirteen employees were identified for training including the above courses as well as computer literacy. Training programmes will be completed during 2008.

Feedback from individuals and some of their spouses and partners has generally been very encouraging and from my experience I have no hesitation in recommending Edvance with their dedicated workplace tutors as an excellent workplace training provider.

Malcom Smith
OSM & Enviro Manager – Bay of Plenty

It was fun to learn. The tutors were excellent. I wanted to do a course to further my career. I needed to update my writing and communication skills to advance myself in the company.

When the course finished I felt more confident in what I was doing whether in writing or communicating with others. It’s a confidence thing, I can now do things that I wasn’t quite so sure I could do before.

I’ve always set goals for myself and this course has helped me to reach my goals.

- Vance

As a result of the Edvance Workplace Tutoring programme productivity is being managed smarter and targets are being met. There is better organisation and communication in the workshop. Communication channels are open and positive; employees are more co-operative throughout the organisation and within teams. Employees have more confidence.

There is a much improved paper trail and quality control from foremen. Better listening skills have resulted in some good production changes being made from staff ideas. This has meant I don’t have to chase up on outstanding issues as much, and have less problem-solving input.

The one aspect that I would rate the Edvance programme above others in is the fact that the training programme uses real live material exclusive to our company, on our location, experiencing issues first hand.

Edvance are an open friendly company that gets results in a professional way. Keep up the good work all.

Rob Garrity
Production Manager
Kiwi Bus Builders
16th Oct 2007

This is my testimonial of Edvance at Excell over 2006/7, for one hundred hours of tutoring.

The growth points for my learning are as follows:

• My vocabulary has been extended: spoken, written and reading.
• My comprehension has markedly improved. Work documents are now easier to understand and my personal reading has become a pleasure. I used to be petrified to read aloud, but I love it now because I am fluent.
• My ability to talk to my staff has changed dramatically. I have learnt to address the issues rather than the fallout. I am articulate without being vulgar or vicious.
• My writing skills have improved as I now write in sentences. I am still slow at this, but getting faster by the sentence. I have not devoted any time to my spelling, which I regret.
• Personally Edvance, Iris in particular, has enabled me to see more clearly what I can be. I no longer hide behind viciousness and vulgarity. In the past my mouth ran away with my head, but now I am careful in my delivery. I realize my anger gave me adrenaline rush, but it did a lot of damage to me and others. By thinking first, I save myself and others alot of grief.
• In summary, this has been life changing in every shape and form.

Des Delaney-Nolan

Abe - September 06

My pay has gone up 25 per cent and I'm now a leading hand in charge of a gang of eight. The company has given me a chance to improve myself and I am really grateful.  Now I can aim for promotion, where I couldn't do that before. 
It wasn't easy at my age, learning how to spell and read.  But it's changed my life for the better.  I wish I'd done it 10 years ago.

Update on Abe - January 08

Abe has been selected for a second internal promotion, moving from Leading hand to Team Leader, responsible for 14 staff.  Abe is now learning first line management skills with Edvance through the workplace tutoring programme.

I am Mathew Mason and I have just completed 3 weeks with Edvance. During that time I’ve worked on career skills. These included searching the paper for appropriate employment and preparing for job interviews. My tutor and I spent time composing a master letter to send with job applications. We also covered how to change my original letter to suit each position applied for.

My CV is now complete along with an awesome Powerpoint presentation about me. These now have prepared me to apply for any job that I am interested in.

There was heaps of support and encouragement along with the motivation I needed to get a job. The tutors always made me feel like I can do it and I did. Without this course I would have just looked at the jobs and dreamed of having one. They would have gone into the “too hard” basket.

Thanks to Edvance I start my new job on Monday 19th December 2005. Without your help I would still be on the unemployment benefit.

Mathew Mason