ICS innovates to make training more accessible

The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers is adding muscle to its skills development efforts with its ‘Adopt a Learner’ project. In conjunction with key industry stakeholders, 20 preselected unemployed learners will be placed on a Learnership, trained on the Shipping Certificate and given workplace experience. Fully funded by Teta, the project is the first of its kind in South Africa, says skills programme manager, Carol Knox. “Companies who would like to participate by providing workplace experience should contact the ICS,” she told FTW. The Institute is now also offering Saturday training so that learners don’t lose out on workplace time. “We are working on innovative approaches to training and are also able to train on-site at a company’s premises, provided we can train 8–10 individuals at a time,” said Knox. By participating in the ICS’s fully accredited training, learners can reclaim their skills levies and be part of the transformation of the skills base of shipping in South Africa, she added. In another milestone for the Institute, training on the full FET Certificate: Shipping for an industry stakeholder, is coming to an end with learners set to be the very first in South Africa to achieve this, said Knox. “We look forward to their graduation.”