nexAir’s Culture of Continuous Learning: Unlocking Career Potential

Maria started in our warehouse three years ago, moving cylinders and organizing inventory. Today, she manages logistics for two regions and is studying for her transportation management certification. Her transformation didn’t happen overnight, but it started with a simple question: “What else can I learn here?”

That question drives everything at nexAir. We believe people are capable of far more than their current job description suggests, and we’ve built an environment where curiosity leads to real opportunities.

When Learning Becomes Part of the Job

Most companies separate learning from working. You do your job, then maybe attend training seminars or take classes after hours. We’ve blended these together because the best learning happens when you can immediately apply new knowledge to real situations.

Our senior plant operators regularly teach newer employees about equipment operation, safety procedures, and troubleshooting techniques. These aren’t formal classroom sessions but ongoing conversations that happen during regular work and based on their expert KnowHow™. Questions get answered in context, mistakes become learning moments, and expertise transfers naturally between generations of workers.

Field technicians shadow experienced team members before handling customer sites independently. Sales representatives learn product applications by spending time with our technical specialists. Administrative staff rotate through different departments to understand how their work connects to the bigger operation.

This approach means learning never stops. Every day brings new challenges that require problem-solving, adaptation, and skill development.

Finding Opportunities in Unexpected Places

Some of our best success stories started with someone volunteering for projects outside their normal responsibilities. A delivery driver noticed inefficiencies in our routing and worked with management to implement better scheduling. A customer service representative developed expertise in specialty gases and became our go-to person for complex applications.

We encourage this kind of exploration because diverse experience makes people more valuable to our company and more confident in their abilities. Someone who understands multiple aspects of our operation can see connections and opportunities that specialists might miss.

When interesting projects come up, we look for people who want to stretch beyond their current role. Sometimes this leads to permanent position changes. Other times, people gain new skills they can apply in their existing job. Either way, both the individual and the company benefit.

Support That Makes Growth Possible

Learning requires investment, and we’re willing to make that investment in people who show commitment to their own development. Tuition assistance helps team members pursue relevant education. Conference attendance exposes people to industry trends and best practices. Professional certification programs enhance skills that directly benefit our operations.

We also provide time for learning during work hours when possible. Safety training, equipment certification, and skill development sessions happen on company time because we consider them essential to job performance, not personal enrichment.

Mentorship relationships develop organically when experienced employees take interest in helping others grow. We facilitate these connections but don’t force them because the best mentoring happens when people genuinely want to share their knowledge.

Building Confidence Through Achievement

Nothing builds confidence like successfully handling new challenges. We look for opportunities to gradually increase responsibility for people who demonstrate readiness. Leading a small project. Training a new employee. Representing the company at a customer meeting. These experiences build capabilities that textbooks can’t teach.

Recognition matters too. When someone masters a new skill or takes on additional responsibility, we make sure their efforts get acknowledged. Public recognition motivates the individual and shows others that growth is valued and rewarded.

Career advancement often follows naturally from this kind of development. People who expand their skills and demonstrate leadership ability find themselves in position for promotion when opportunities arise.

Where This Takes Us

Continuous learning creates a workforce that can adapt to changing industry conditions, implement new technologies, and take advantage of growth opportunities. Individual development drives organizational capability, creating a positive cycle that benefits everyone.

The industrial gas industry continues evolving, and companies with skilled, adaptable employees will thrive in that environment. At nexAir, we help our team members Forge Forward by giving them the tools, support, and opportunities to reach their full potential.