Training key to engaging new pool in franchising
If you don’t have world-best training supported by accreditation in modern day franchising, then don’t bother getting out of bed.
Gen Y will make up around 40 per cent of the Australian workforce over the next five years and already we’re seeing a jump in people seeking larger business opportunities in franchising. Unless you’re offering a career pathway that is supported by robust training and the opportunity to obtain a national qualification, you’ll fail to engage this next wave of budding “intrapreneurs”.
It may mean incorporating existing accreditation into your training program or pioneering a new qualification for the particular industry in which you operate. We collaborated with federal government and an Industry Skills Council to introduce the very first national qualifications to the pool and spa care sector last year.
However, nationally recognising the expertise and skills in your training program has business benefits beyond boosting market visibility among franchisee prospects.
It provides greater meaning to your training program for both existing and new franchisees, and encourages a higher skills standard across your network. Retaining highly skilled and more experienced people in your business will strengthen your position as a market leader through an improvement in customer service.
It also strengthens the credibility of franchisees in their local markets by giving them more accountability for what they do and an additional way to differentiate themselves from competitors.
Franchising is one of Australia’s strongest sectors because the business model offers a flexible, supportive approach to start-up enterprises. Training is the opportunity to teach new techniques and technologies and learn about innovations in the industry – don’t waste it on archaic methods.
Investing in modern training equipment and facilities that enhance the delivery of your training and education are key to your franchise network receiving a greater depth and breadth of learning.
In a highly competitive market, offering prospective franchisees the opportunity to enter an industry with the best training out there and a nationally recognised certificate gives them a huge boost at the start of their franchising journey.
This article from our client, John O’Brien, founder and CEO of pool and spa care franchise Poolwerx, first appeared on Fairfax’s Brisbane Times website.