Rank and file employees aren’t the only ones leaving jobs in record numbers. According to a recent article published by McKinsey & Company, many managers and leaders are leaving their jobs too, resulting in vacancies in senior-level positions that also need to be filled. The plastics industry is not immune to the recent so-called ‘great resignation’ and many plastics companies are challenged with finding the right people to fill leadership gaps. For company executives confronted with this challenge, training and capability building for employees is crucial. The McKinsey report also emphasized that attrition is not only real, its likely to worsen before it gets better. But, for plastics workers looking to move into leadership positions, this moment represents a huge opportunity.
If you’re considering moving into a leadership role, either to manage people or projects, now may be the time. But are you prepared to make the move? Making the shift from successful individual contributor to effective manager is a difficult transition — it may be the hardest shift for any leader to make. SPE can help maximize your leadership potential through its newly launched Essentials of Management & Leadership in Plastics program.
Essentials of Management & Leadership in Plastics is a six-month, cohort-based, virtual program, with the inaugural session running from October 2022 through March 2023. The program was developed to prepare early to mid-level career professionals to become leaders at their companies and in the plastics industry. Program participants gain knowledge and confidence in live facilitated group training and self-paced learning components each month. No other leadership study program specifically designed for those in the plastics industry exists in the field.
While Essentials of Management & Leadership in Plastics prepares professionals in the plastics industry for leadership roles, participants who complete the program will receive a digital credential and will be fully prepared to:
When participating in Essentials of Management & Leadership in Plastics, emerging leaders are further prepared for leadership within the plastics industry. There are a number of reasons why Essentials of Management & Leadership in Plastics can help accelerate your career growth from increasing your time management skills and gaining practical knowledge to growing your network and developing your leadership style.
Participants are expected to dedicate the time necessary to complete applicable readings and assignments. They are also expected to participate in the live virtual sessions for each module. By participating in the program, learners commit to four hours of synchronous interactions each month as well as 12-16 hours of asynchronous work (for example: engaging in self-paced learning components, training materials, or provided exercises). In total, learners invest 16-20 hours of their time per module for a total of 96-120 hours to complete the program.
Essentials of Management & Leadership in Plastics will be facilitated by Sarah Skidmore, Ph.D., DSL, MA. Dr. Skidmore is a Leadership Doctor and experienced Strategic Consultant. She is a specialized provider of people programs, leader development, strategic foresight, change management, diversity and inclusion consulting to the ISO Standard, and strategy and innovation services. Dr. Skidmore holds experience working with leaders worldwide from Canada to Mexico to Germany to the Philippines, including corporate and Fortune 500 organizations.
Introductory costs ($1,950 for SPE members and $2,250 for non-members) for the program’s first cohort are available – with fees increasing in the future. Bottom line? There’s no better time than now to take the first step toward becoming an effective leader in the plastics industry. But the first step to participating is by submitting an application. Applications will be reviewed and, if accepted to participate in Essentials of Management & Leadership in Plastics, applicants will be provided program registration information, as well as participation steps and instructions.
To apply for Essentials of Management & Leadership in Plastics program, go to www.4spe.org/CertApply.
Know a member who is doing outstanding things in plastics or in SPE? Have you heard about or are part of a chapter that is making an impact or a difference in the industry? Let us know if you have any story ideas for SPE News! Feel free to contact Chris Barry at cbarry@4spe.org.