Porthole, a group of Human Resources and senior managers in the Haven Ports’ maritime and logistics sector, has been relaunched with the support of the Haven Gateway Partnership. Originally formed in 1996, Porthole gives member companies a useful forum for sharing common experiences on issues such as staffing, recruitment, skills levels and training.
At its relaunch breakfast meeting, Bob Sambrook of the Akenham Partnership introduced a discussion on ’Symptoms, Causes and Solutions to Stress in the Workplace’, an important issue as Health and Safety regulations place more responsibility on companies to be aware of and tackle stress amongst employees.
Porthole gives managers involved in personnel issues a useful network in which they can discuss items of common interest, said chairman Alfred Reeves, finance director of Fred. Olsen. If a manager has a particular problem, the chances are he can contact a fellow member of Porthole to discuss how they may have tackled a similar problem.
There are so many manpower issues common to the industry, including, for example, the impact of the new maternity and paternity regulations.
Richard Morton, project manager of the Haven Gateway’s Maritime and Logistics Skills Centre, explained at the meeting how the Haven Gateway Partnership is getting involved in training and skills issues through a series of initiatives.
This includes producing a comprehensive guide to sources of training for the industry and working with local schools to make people aware of the maritime industry and its career opportunities, as well as arranging free Fuel Efficiency forums and Training Needs Analysis for haulage companies.
Porthole meetings will be held at three-monthly intervals.
For more information about becoming a member of Porthole, contact Richard
Morton on 01394 458551, e-mail richard.morton@itstraining.co.uk
Porthole - relaunch of a group with a view
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