Getting ready for the sixth and final day of leadership training are, from left, Ted Burke of Garden Terrace, Karen Vaughan of Maplewood, trainer Darlene Legree of Silver Meridian and Angie Acheson of Almonte.

Manager training draws praise from participants
Wednesday December 3, 2003 John Driscoll
Judging from the feedback received at the beginning of the last session yesterday, OMNI’s new Manager Training Program is a resounding success.

Participants had six intensive days of leadership training at the Best Western Otonabee Inn in three two-day sessions.

“This training was really very good,” says Karen Vaughan, a registered nurse at Maplewood in Brighton. “We all come from different homes, in different jobs, with different perspectives. This was a great learning experience.”

This course teaches life lessons as well as offering practical help with on-the-job issues, says Ted Burke, a cook at Garden Terrace in Kanata.

“The discussions were tough but I have found this course very beneficial,” he said. “The sessions were really informative and we’ve learned a great deal.”

For Angie Acheson, in restorative care at Almonte Country Haven, the program “has helped me to be a stronger leader.”

It helps to build self-confidence and gives participants an insight into all the OMNI homes and how they function, Angie says. “We are all on the same wavelength here,” she says. “Everyone is goal-oriented and resident focused.”

“I have enjoyed this training very much,” she says. “My comfort level has increased as I have worked with my peers.”

Ron Martyn and Darlene Legree of Silver Meridian were trainers for the program for 28 employees.

Graduates of the program will have the skills needed to take a managerial role, say Ron and Darlene.

The program is centred on communication and problem-solving skills,
In role-playing sessions, participants learn how to become an effective leader and they get managerial experience in practicums between sessions.

The training follows the model in the book, Just Promoted, and the PRAM (plans, relationships, agreement and maintenance) model of problem solving.