Big grant gets training underway at Rennies

Opportunity for emerging managers in the company Terry Hutson THE TRANSPORT Education and Training Authority (TETA) has provided a discretionary grant worth R401 000 to Rennies Ships Agency to train emerging managers within the company. To qualify for this grant, Rennies had to comply with extremely rigorous requirements concerning internal training and development and has become one of the first in its industry to do so. The programme focuses on building general management competency and incorporates a large practical component. Delegates apply what they are learning in a work-related project that they complete during the programme, but the project must add value either by reducing costs or generating profit in the delegates' work environment. The programme has been designed and facilitated by the Graduate Institute of Management and Technology (GIMT). According to the programme director, Doug Cairns, one of the major strengths of the programme lies in the partnering process between GIMT and Rennies in building strategies, processes and mechanisms both for learning and people development on an ongoing basis. "The programme, which is customised for each client, has been implemented in numerous key organisations in South Africa where it has enjoyed significant success," he told FTW. Rose Gedye, HR manager and Skills Development Facilitator for Rennies Ships Agency, explained that great care had been taken in selecting candidates. "The programme will focus on developing emerging managers whose potential has been identified and accurately assessed," she said. "Of the 49 applicants assessed, 20 delegates were selected, of which 55% are from the designated groups. They will benefit not only from the programme itself, but also from the significant networking opportunities they will enjoy since they come from many different parts of the country." The programme will run over a period of 10 months with participants attending instructor-led classes at a venue in Westville for two days every month. Assignments and self-study make up the balance of the programme, which equips candidates with management and implementation skills.