Member Article

Rowing team inspire tomorrow’s motor managers

Yorkshire all-female trans-Atlantic rowing team inspire tomorrow’s motor managers

As part of its ongoing talent programme which prepares colleagues for managerial positions, family motor retailer JCT600 has held its largest ever ‘Wired’ conference with guest speakers Yorkshire Rows, four women from the region who last year crossed 3,000 nautical miles as part of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, becoming the oldest women to row any ocean.

More than 150 colleagues from JCT600’s Bradford head office and from across its 50 dealerships who have been selected for the company’s ‘Wired’ programme attended the event last week (22nd September). Held at Vulcan to the Sky at Robin Hood Airport, it focussed on the importance of resilience, determination and patience in achieving aspirations, whatever the obstacles and setbacks – the venue was chosen because of the problems The Vulcan jet bomber encountered during its turbulent history!

The conference was also addressed by guest speaker Paul Rose, chair of The Prince’s Trust development committee in Yorkshire and the Humber, as JCT600 has this year become a patron of the youth charity which helps young people who are unemployed or struggling at school to transform their lives. Previous speakers at the annual conference include Olympic cyclist Brian Steel, former rugby coach Brian Noble and former managing director of Vauxhall and former chairman of General Motors Bill Parfitt.

“The Yorkshire Rows ladies are a fantastic example of how talent, hard work and sheer perseverance can overcome the most daunting of obstacles. For four women to undertake a grueling 68 days at sea, including encountering a hurricane, power failures and seasickness, is truly inspiring – they even set a new world record along the way,” comments Katie Saunders, HR director of JCT600.

“Our ‘Wired’ programme is all about self-development and the conference is a great opportunity for colleagues to hear stories from apparently ordinary people who have done extraordinary things. Whether it’s becoming the oldest all-female crew to cross the Atlantic or a young person who has overcome the odds to find employment or training, anything is possible for people who are ambitious and want to push themselves.”

JCT600 launched its ‘Wired’ programme four years ago to ensure that talented colleagues had the opportunity to prepare for managerial positions within the business via structured development and on-the-job training. It has proved hugely popular and the company is now close to its target of having 10 per cent of its team enrolled on the scheme.

Bradford-head quartered JCT600 is committed to providing work and training opportunities, including taking on more than 100 apprentices over the last three years to join its 2,300-strong team. The company was also this year named in the Sunday Times ‘Best 100 Companies to Work For’ list in recognition of its outstanding levels of employee engagement.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Emma Kilmurray .