Sonepar: What is the importance of technical training for Cebeo?
Thierry De Grieze: What I mean by technical training is training about products as well as about a number of administrative practices so that Cebeo, as an electrical equipment distributor, can always offer high added value because of its experience and informed advice. The company has to keep up with labor market trends and adapt, otherwise it ends up going nowhere. Training associates is therefore primordial.
Sonepar: Do you also put a lot of importance on more general training?
T.D.G: Of course. That kind of training is geared to specific positions, such as information technology, presentation methods, and so forth. It helps Cebeo associates advance in their careers.
Sonepar: How do you encourage Cebeo associates to enroll in training courses?
T.D.G: It starts with the recruitment interview, when the applicant’s willingness to take courses is evaluated. Many associates have a natural drive to advance or switch professions. As a company we are getting better and better at meeting associates’ specific training needs. For those who are less motivated, forcing them against their will doesn’t make much sense. It leads nowhere and even jeopardizes future training sessions. I think it’s important to make the courses appealing, for example by emphasizing the prospects they open up. We have a “development center” where we test people who want to keep moving forward. We analyze the results before looking for the right training.
Another way of motivating associates is by spreading the training out over time so that they can gradually put what they’ve learned into practice on the job. But the determining factor is always the associate’s own motivation. It matters even more than the company.
Sonepar: What organizations does Cebeo use to train its associates?
T.D.G: Our own specialists usually give product training. But that also goes for other training. For example, a storage manager at the Mouscron distribution center specialized in order to train fellow associates how to operate a forklift. We also use service providers and professional federations such as Formelec and Cefora. They do good quality training that usually matches our needs.
Sonepar: Does Cebeo set an example in the area of training?
T.D.G: By and large, training is still an untapped area. But it’s a priority for both Cebeo and Sonepar. We want to keep on making it a reality.
