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A common language as a unique selling point

15 august 2022

CANPACK opted for a partnership with STE Languages ​​to offer language lessons. Together, they developed an online English language programme of lessons. In a fast-growing organization with an international production environment, collaboration is essential. Knowledge transfer, safety instructions, managing a team; everything has to do with working together and clear communication; language is essential for this.

At CANPACK in Helmond, which has grown to 480 employees in five years, they experience it every day: “We need one common language to continuously improve our processes. With the diversity of cultural backgrounds, we opted for English," says Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager Herbert Venema. HR Project Advisor Pauline Rietra selected STE Languages ​​as preferred supplier for tailor-made English language lessons. Hand-in-hand with STE Director Mathilde Lageman, she implemented the CANPACK language policy.

Added value for the employee
“When it comes to CI, that common language is very relevant,” Venema adds. “We work with different disciplines in a continuous production environment. You also have to deal with differences in culture and communication style. You can often still capture work instructions in images, but the further we expand, the more there is to explain. You need one language for that. Especially when it comes to on-boarding and safety instructions.”

Successfully partnered with STE Languages
CANPACK opted for a partnership with STE Languages to offer the language lessons. Jointly, they developed an online English language programme. Where possible, classes are given in groups, although this is not always feasible. CANPACK works in five shifts, in other words a continuous production and planning cycle. Offering physical face-to-face lessons is not always feasible within such a schedule. The lessons are also offered individually, each in employee’s own time. “The first phase of the programme starts with the basics of the English language. This is followed by tailor-made lessons in which each employee looks at what they need in order to be able to communicate clearly in the workplace,” explains Lageman.

“Together with CANPACK we have worked hard on organising and realising the language policy in the CANPACK organisation. For example, we spent a lot of time on employee intakes. We were able to get a good picture of the different language levels through the intake interviews: from absolute starter to secondary school level English. In addition to the level, we carefully looked at the work practice and learnability of each student. With these insights, we have assigned specific learning methods to each student. Students who have never had English lessons are taught by a Polish-speaking teacher.”

“I really enjoy our collaboration with CANPACK”, concludes Lageman. “We have short lines of communication and can react quickly. Our years of experience in the industry and our advice are taken very seriously. In my opinion, our collaboration is a rock-solid way to make the implementation of a language policy substantive and sustainable. I can absolutely recommend this approach to other companies.”