Case Study: Just Car Clinics
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Just Car Clinics is the second largest independent chain of collision repair centres in the UK, specialising in motor collision repair and accident damage rectification for cars, vans and motorbikes. There are 26 sites throughout northern, eastern and central England with approximately 620 staff, servicing around 45,000 vehicles a year.
The problem
Barry Whittles, Chief Executive, and his team recognised that with technology evolving so quickly it was imperative for Just Car Clinics to keep pace if it was to grow successfully and profitably. Health and safety issues are part of this development, and staff needed to be thoroughly involved in the company’s approach.
The solution
Management realised that training was the cornerstone in the growth and development of the business and their employees’ involvement with it. With this in mind in 2005 Just Car Clinics set up the industry’s first-ever dedicated training centre, based in Goole. The aim: to provide state-ofthe- art training and support in one place, providing workshops and courses to improve employees’ knowledge of all aspects of the business and strengthen their involvement at all levels in its operations. High on the agenda was a robust health and safety element.
Dawn Swales, HR & Training Manager, explains, “Health and safety is key because we’re a workshop environment, so everyone has to be aware of how they work with each other.”
Dawn has overseen the training and welfare of staff till now, outsourcing advice from MVRA (The Motor Vehicle Repair Association). However, as the group moves on to the next stage Andrew Firbank, previously General Manager of a Just Car Clinics branch, has been promoted to Group Compliance Manager. One of his principal tasks is to move the company forward with regard to worker involvement on health and safety issues.
Andrew says “We already have what is known throughout the company as ‘Culture Club’. Culture Club is an ever evolving element. It enables us to look at the culture within the business constantly and move forward.”
As part of this process Andrew is currently setting up the first Health and Safety Committee at the Goole training site. It includes both management and workforce, and will be a blueprint for sites throughout the company,
“The working committee is a large part of what we are incorporating into Culture Club. Setting up the committee is my immediate focus,” Andrew continues.
“The committees will allow staff to take ownership of their safety in the workplace, so it becomes a two-way process to take us to the next level.”
“To date we’ve avoided any serious accidents. We want that to continue and we see improved worker involvement as key – they’re on the shop floor, they see the hazards and every one of our workforce has the knowledge of what’s acceptable and what isn’t. We want them to know they can make a difference.”
Chris McGowan, Just Car Clinics Technical Trainer and the only in-house trainer in the country within the industry, says “The staff are very conscious of health and safety now and they’re asking for training. We find that when we cover health and safety in training our workforce often highlight areas within their own sites. They take the information back with them and implement new measures. With increased worker involvement this can only improve.”
Ever mindful of the future, the company runs an apprenticeship scheme employing raw young talent that can be trained, nurtured and integrated into the Just Car Clinics culture, including its health and safety policies. All staff are required to be trained to ASA level (Automotive Technician Accreditation) and, once qualified, are rewarded with an increase in salary.
The outcome
“Our approach has already resulted in lower insurance premiums, fewer lost working hours and higher workforce morale – but we still want to get better,” says Andrew. “We’re already reaping the benefits of involving our staff in our health and safety development through training, but we believe there is always room for improvement - and that is our aim. The working committee is the next big step forward for the company.”
