training continuous
Continuous Training
Vocabulary
| demand | all the time | little to do with |
| hoop | essential | learning hoop |
| attend | in order to | carry on working |
| motivate | challenge | your own benefit |
| ensure | compatible | all kinds of |
| gain | don’t mind | daily basis |
| time off | unthinkable | put in the effort |
| scheme | encourage | head up a project |
| trend | in-house | figure (3) |
| dynamic | field (2) | appropriate |
| remain | keen to | as part of the job |
| lack | evolve | qualified |
| poach | hamper | competition |
| affect | involve | 9 to 5 job |
Video
Transcript
One thing is certain in today’s job market: nothing stays the same anymore. Continuous learning is demanded for more and more people.
The IT company Jamba, right here in Berlin, puts its employees through the learning hoop all the time — with success. Here’s more.
Berlin Alexander Platz in the heart of the German capital. Bernd Meyer crosses the square every day on his way to work. His employer is a young, fast-growing company with 700 members of staff worldwide.
The company develops music videos, logos, and ring tones for mobile phones, a selection updated every day and available in more than 35 languages.
Bernd Meyer began his career here, two-and-a-half years ago. He’s actually a physics graduate and had little to do with mobile phones. Today, he’s head of department.
“I’m someone who has to learn something new every day. If there’s nothing new to learn, then you could say I’ve completed my time at the company. There has to be something motivating in order for me to carry on working. That’s essential for me,” says Meyer.
Seventy people work in his department. A short while ago, the 36-year old found such a responsibility unthinkable.
Meyer’s current challenge is to ensure Jamba’s software is compatible with all types of cell-phone. To gain that knowledge, he had to attend several training courses, including one on personnel management.
“You get time off work for the training courses, but sometimes it can last longer than you think it’s going to. But you don’t mind putting in the effort because it’s for your own benefit in the end,” says Meyer.
Every year the company invests several hundred thousand euros in employee training schemes to secure its position in this fast moving market.
Together with his boss, Bernd Meyer encourages members of his team to attend in-house training programs.
Those who head up a project are put on a management course. Designers responsible for packaging comic figures for cell-phone displays work with colleagues in the US or Spain, and have to learn the appropriate languages.
“We’re working in a highly dynamic field. You have to be able to identify the trends. And that means those who work here are keen to learn and have to learn as part of the job,” says Niels Genzmer, Jamba Spokesman.
Meyer’s company remains unaffected by the lack of qualified, specialist personnel that continues to hamper so many businesses. Any competition trying to poach Jamba’s staff would have little success.
“It’s attractive for staff to be able to build on their qualifications and experience here in-house. That’s how we involve them, keep them here. Someone who is working in Jamba isn’t looking for a 9 to 5 job; they want to be evolving on a daily basis. They can do that here with our systematic training,” says Genzmer.
Bernd Meyer has big career plans for the future. The top of his most immediate wish list is senior management.
Questions
1. The only thing that’s certain in today’s job market is continuous training. True or false?
2. What does Jamba create or produce? How many employees does it have?
3. Bernd Meyer studied computer science in university. Is this correct or wrong? Had he always wanted or planned to be head of department?
4. What is Bernd Meyer’s philosophy or attitude about working at Jamba? What is Bernd Meyer’s current challenge? His current challenge is….
5. How did he gain that knowledge?
6. Does Jamba have problems with lack of qualified staff? Do other companies have this problem?
Why does Jamba invest hundreds of thousands of euro in every year? Why does it do that?
7. Does Jamba operate only in Berlin? Do Jamba have international collaboration?
8. What does the Jamba spokesman mean by “We’re working in a highly dynamic field. You have to be able to identify the trends. And that means those who work here are keen to learn and have to learn as part of the job.”
A. Do you work in the IT field, computer engineering or software development? If yes, what are your main tasks?
B. What did you study at school or university?
C. Is your industry or field constantly changing and evolving?
D. In my job, I have to take courses, training programs, classes, seminars and workshops all the time. True or false?
E. Is it difficult to keep abreast with the latest developments? Or is it fun?
F. My company or employer provides continual training for employees. Yes or no?
