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Honeywell nurtures local talent

September 2009 News

Eighteen months ago, Honeywelll South Africa launched its succession planning and talent management (SPATMAN) programme. This intense leadership development programme bore fruit when 19 Honeywell leadership candidates graduated during August 2009.

The SPATMAN programme was run in conjunction with three service providers, namely GIBS, Connemara and the Pacific Institute. The Pacific Institute presented three modules – under the banner of Investment in Excellence – relating to the individual in personal skills development, how they perform within a team framework and finally how they participate and are perceived within the organisation. Connemara workshops focused on skilling and looking at the practical applications within the Honeywell working environment and GIBS focused on presenting leadership concepts, best practices and trends. The course was developed for Honeywell specifically and is unique to Honeywell South Africa.

Dr Andre Geldenhuys, Honeywell Automation College leader said: “Honeywell believes in succession planning and developing leadership and management skills from within the company, so we are very excited that the first SPATMAN programme has delivered so many graduates. It was a very intense programme that the graduates undertook and which encompassed all facets of management, leadership, skills development, inter-personal skills analysis as well as looking at solutions to resolve the challenges facing Honeywell.”

Dr Andre Geldenhuys (left) with Tiyani Mavunda
Dr Andre Geldenhuys (left) with Tiyani Mavunda

Tiyani Mavunda, skills development facilitator, added: “The graduates undertook syndicate projects during their 18 months of study and development and this was essential to the success of the programme as each syndicate comprised a mixed selection of professions from Honeywell, resulting in personnel normally involved in non-engineering functions engaging in a transfer of information flow with engineers from site. This would not normally be the norm for logistical reasons, and therefore the joint communications and exchanges during this programme have created a greater understanding amongst key players within the organisation.”

“With the current skills shortage in South Africa it is vital that a company of Honeywell’s stature looks internally for potential leadership, develops that potential and ultimately guides it to fruition and success. Honeywell believes in its people and the SPATMAN programme is proof of its commitment to train and retain qualified people to add value to Honeywell in South Africa and the projects and technologies that it offers to its customers,” concluded Geldenhuys.

For more information contact Debbie Rae, Honeywell Southern Africa, +27 (0)11 695 8000, [email protected], www.honeywell.co.za





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