Mazda academy solves recruitment problems

Investing in an academy programme has helped Mazda to develop its own sales managers rather than having to import talent from elsewhere, the car firm’s HR director said.

Chris Clark said the firm’s Field Team Academy, which has been in operation for a year, was set up to address the recruitment challenges in two key roles: business managers and regional corporate sales managers. Between four and six members of staff a year are put through the 12-month programme, which includes buddying with an existing manager, mentoring sessions with senior bosses at the company and a series of independent-learning modules. The programme aims to produce a steady stream of strong candidates for when manager positions become available, said Clark.