Webforge - Overwhelming Success in Galvanizing

Webforge is a specialised manufacturer of metal flooring and allied products, which operates throughout Australasia. Its New Zealand operation was established in 1970, followed shortly by a Galvanizing plant to galvanize its forge welded grating and products for external customers. Today, Webforge employs approximately 20 people in its Galvanizing plant and has established a strong reputation for quality and service.

Webforge’s General Manager, Chris James, has helped set up the national galvanizing standards and has supported his employees through them as a Workplace Assessor. It was pleasing to see the successful results of this investment when 13 employees were presented with their National Certificates in Hot Dip Galvanizing (Level 2) during a bustling morning tea presentation.

EXITO Training Advisor, Susi Batterbury, sincerely thanked Chris for his continuing contribution to the development of the galvanizing industry qualifications and for his tireless efforts in assessing his employees’ competency.

Chris has noted a visible change in the work of his employees through completing the National Certificate. This includes increased safety awareness and an improved standard of processes. He commented that “Galvanizing may not be the most glamorous of industries, but it still requires skilled and knowledgeable staff to provide the level of service demanded by our customers”.

Employees are now enrolled in the National Certificate at Level 3 which covers the applied skills and processes for Galvanizing within the plant, and Webforge hope to have this completed by the end of 2013.

EXITO is the standard setting body for the Extractive Industries, which includes the protective coatings industry, and helps manage the training process. Qualifications are achieved in the workplace through on-job training which means employees are learning while they are earning.