ALAN PEAT
IF YOU are going to make the best of the education and training schemes for the freight forwarding industry, you have to develop a co-ordinated plan – integrating staff training needs with appropriate courses.
According to Margarett Ter Beest, human resources manager in the freight management and technology business unit of Exel Africa, you have to identify people and needs, conduct a training analysis and then direct staff members to the appropriate training.
“We have devised an overall plan for the whole of SA,” she told FTW, “covering our offices in Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.
“And every staff member has the opportunity to be appropriately trained.”
In today’s staff structure, adult basic education and training (Abet) obviously comes high on the list, along with computer skills and the vital health factor of HIV/Aids awareness.
“Learnerships – basically taking on people for an apprenticeship in the industry – are also on the cards,” said Ter Beest.
“We select from applicants with matriculation or grade 12 passes, and they basically study as they work – so combining experience with education.”
Exel takes education needs one step further – offering an education development support scheme for children of employees from the previously disadvantaged part of society.
“For staff members earning less than a nominated amount,” said Ter Beest, “we will pay their children’s school fees.”
UPS learnership produces skilled and competent staff
ENSURING THAT its young staff members gain the skills necessary to operate in the complex shipping world is the motivation behind a comprehensive training programme undertaken by UPS SCS South Africa.
It’s a two-phase programme, according to managing director Paul Horsfall, and has now entered its second phase.
“In the first phase, five students participated, with two completing the Global Trade Training curriculum. This is an international course and students learn the basics of the freight industry. Another student sat the courier course, learning that aspect of the freight industry.
“Six students are participating in the new phase – three doing the GTT course and three the courier learnership programme. The courses are held in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg.”
According to Anthia Laros, who is responsible for the UPS Training and Development programme, the students follow a strict programme that is closely monitored by a learner logbook.
Two of the company’s employees, Sithembiso Hadebe, a 24 year-old student from Durban, and Damien van Oordt (19) from Cape Town, are involved in the 18-month GTT course.
According to their mentors, both are progressing and adapting well and, in a short space of time, have learnt the complex customs and port documentation procedures and are finding their way around the National Ports Authority (NPA) docklands.
“Graduates are multi-skilled and flexible as a result of receiving practical and theoretical training in all aspects of the industry,” says Laros.
“The programme produces operators who are not only skilled in a variety of functions, but they can also adapt to changes effortlessly, " she said.