Global recognition will benefit industry

Training for the sake of training is pointless and should rather be aimed at learners achieving globally recognised standards that will ultimately benefit the entire freight industry, according to Mark Goodger of Global Maritime Learning Solutions (GLMS). Goodger says while some organisations are starting to approach their future skills much more seriously and strategically by making valuable employee investments, this is not always the case. “Freight forwarders in the country have faced several challenges in meeting B-BBEE criteria and other legislation relevant to empowerment issues, in the past few years. Furthermore the industry did have to transform and employ more diversely from society,” he told FTW. He says that the focus for any learnership should be for the qualification of an internationally recognised standard. “Last year 12 students obtained the coveted FIATA diploma and this year we have 16 more participants for this certificate. This is the first time in more than 14 years that South African learners are completing the FIATA Diploma.” GMLS has also acquired the training material for the FIATA Higher Diploma in Supply Chain Management and more recently assisted the University of Kwazulu Natal to pioneer a new Masters Degree in Customs and Excise that will start as a full degree program from the second semester of 2014. “For special customs practitioners we have introduced a North West University certificated program for all AEO and trusted trader practitioners at an NQF 8 level,” said Goodger. He maintains that training will ultimately make the difference not only in South Africa, but Africa. “The continent is awakening and organisations from as far as Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone and Angola are seeking training.”