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At the beginning of 2016, ISS Denmark initiated a partnership with the Red Cross, one of the world’s leading humanitarian organisations, to train ISS managers to be deployed to disaster zones. Participants in the program have been chosen based on their expertise and will be assigned to work as managers, kitchen personnel, or technicians.
Dorthe Rønnau, Director of People & Culture at ISS Denmark, said:
“We will benefit, as a business, by getting stronger leaders who can make decisions under great pressure.”
She emphasised the opportunity the programme will offer ISS managers to strengthen their skills around employee engagement and motivation, and sharing their experiences with their teams back home.
Nine employees will be trained in the initial round, with more of ISS Denmark’s 450 managers to follow. Jens Østergaard Johansen, Technical Manager at ISS Denmark, and Dorte Sigh, Senior Manager of Learning & Development, were the first to join the program. They can be deployed to disaster zones with 48 hours notice for up to 6-8 weeks at a time, during which time their task will be to help build and manage the daily operations at Red Cross Base Camps, supporting the relief workers in the field.
Dorte Sigh, Senior Manager of Learning & Development at ISS Denmark, said:
”People coming together to help other people who are affected by disaster really moves me. I sometimes thought that if my professional background had been different, I would have liked to help out in disasters – but I never felt that my professional profile suited it. But when I heard about the Red Cross’ Disaster Relief programme, I could see that I matched the job as Base Camp Manager: I have professional experience in the hotel industry and management. I am proud and happy that I have been included in the programme, and I hope I will get the opportunity to come along and make a difference.”
Jens Østergaard Johansen, Technical Manager at ISS Denmark, said:
“It is important that we are there for people who are in need. And with grown-up children, I am now a time in my life where I have the energy and the ability to help others. With my technical background, my role is to build and operate the installations in the camp. To get the power and water supply and sewerage up and running. It will be an exciting challenge, and I look forward to making a difference for people affected by disaster. It's great that ISS provides me with the opportunity to go on leave to help out.”
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