First graduates receive their certificates

History made as training gets a boost at function KEVIN MAYHEW
The SA Express Parcel Association (Saepa) has made history with the first ever graduation of learners at the Piston Ring Club in Modderfontein recently. The function was attended by representatives of the Postal Regulator and was sponsored by FTW. Saepa’s first group of learners received their Certificate in Freight Handling, which is Level 3 on the National Qualifications Framework. The occasion was attended by employees from DawnWing Couriers, DHL Express, UPS, Hulls Express Freight, RAM Hand-to-Hand Couriers, Sun Couriers and TNT Express Worldwide. The learnership is in line with the National Skills Development Strategy and was made possible through help from the Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA). Edward Little, chairman of the Forwarding and Clearing Chamber of TETA, gave the keynote address on education in a changing environment. “With the introduction of skills development in South Africa we have moved away from being expected to be mobile data bases. We are not only acquiring knowledge but learning how to apply it in the workplace. We still need to learn the theory, but we actually get to practise the daily routine,” he commented. Training is structured in four parts and includes periods for experiential learning and workplace assessments.