Kenny McKinnon is the IT Manager for the Manufacturing Logistics Division at DHL. He has been with the company for 19 years and has had a diverse career within DHL in that time. Starting on the Sainsbury’s contract and progressing through various roles such as warehouse planning and front-line manager.
Two years ago, Kenny decided to move into IT, which he found interesting and aligned well with the skills he had developed. Kenny emphasises the importance of keeping your CV up to date and being prepared for interviews throughout your career.
School and Career:
I grew up as the son of a teacher and attended the school where my father taught. This gave me a unique perspective on education. I believe in the importance of showing up, doing your best, and continuous learning. I also know that school and further education is not the best fit for everyone and that skills can be acquired through other avenues like travelling, on-the-job training, or volunteering. I try to explain to the young people I support that success in the workplace can be as unique as they are. The skills we teach in the Outward Bound programme are for everyone, regardless of their grades, career aspirations, or life choices.
Motivation for Joining GoTeach:
I signed up for the Outward Bound programme in 2019. As a planner at Sainsbury’s, I had encountered difficulties in finding reliable young workers for the Christmas period. Young people coming in for interviews were not equipped or even prepared for a workplace environment, and they rarely lasted a week or even made it through day 1. I realized that between the ages of 14 to 16, young people could learn important skills before leaving school which would help them no matter where they wanted to go. If I could help with that, hopefully these young people would be prepared for their first day at work, no matter where it is. I believe that DHL colleagues can provide the best possible experience for the young people involved, as we come with a range of experience and a variety of job roles to talk about.
Becoming a Champion:
I became a champion for the Outward Bound programme because I enjoy working with young people in a classroom setting, showcasing DHL technology and the different jobs and areas of work.
One deciding factor that got me hooked was seeing the positive impact I had on a quiet young person in my Outward Bound team. On the third day, I was sitting outside after dinner and a group of students from other groups got a football and ran down to the grass area for an impromptu game. I noticed one of my group sprint past me. This student, who rarely showed energy or interacted with others, ran straight down to the game, took the ball off someone, and was heading to the goal on the other side of the field. Another student, whom I didn’t know, blurted out ‘wow, I’ve never seen him play’. I asked ‘You have never seen him play football before? Like ever?’ The young person then stated ‘I’ve never seen him do anything, ever!’. This young person had such a noticeable change in three days that it was visible to people who had known him for years. The young person continued to engage with others throughout the trip, and this positive change persisted after they returned to school for the follow-up sessions. This breakthrough made me realise the importance of these residentials in getting young people away from everything familiar, even school.
I believe the Outward Bound programme provides valuable opportunities for young people who may not have access to such experiences otherwise. Not only do we get to go on a journey with these young people, from selecting them to take part, watching them grow in confidence, and supporting them when they come back to school, but we also get to see those breakthrough moments which are so magical. Some of the participants come from challenging backgrounds, and this programme offers lessons in trust, teamwork, and resilience. It widens their horizons and raises their aspirations to opportunities which they may not have thought possible for them.
Challenges Overcome and Highlights:
One of the main challenges I faced during the programme was dealing with the group of young people during the overnight camping trip. The team had already lost the key to the kit room and couldn’t find the clips for the camping stoves after dinner. Repeated requests for everyone to check their personal belongings met with shrugs and defensive attitudes. It was becoming clear that the team didn’t have any interest in the monetary value of the kit or how the loss of the equipment impacted other people further down the line.
I tried to solve the problem and demonstrate that from a workplace perspective, not caring and being uncooperative is not the way to behave. This was not something I had much experience doing with people this young. My aim was to be fair, respectful, and of course, not embarrass anyone (including myself). I asked the participants to put on everything they were wearing before dinner was served. Rain jackets, overalls, etc. Despite some bumps and groans, I kept my manager face on and refused to budge. Once completed, I asked everyone to check their outermost pockets first, then the next layer and so on. The missing clips were found instantly.
I collected them, thanked everyone for their time, and not another word was spoken about the incident. We all moved on as a group. This experience taught me the importance of going with your gut even when it seems harsh. Not another thing went missing for the rest of the week, and everyone checked their kit at every opportunity.
Takeaways and Advice:
My biggest takeaway from taking part in the programme with Outward Bound was the realisation that making a difference in the life of even one young person can have a significant impact. The advice to DHL colleagues considering applying for GoTeach is simply to say yes and seize the opportunity to make a positive impact on young people’s lives.
GoTeach in 3 words: Transformative, Inspiring, Empowering.