Dachser South Africa has launched its second learnership programme for 2013/2014, following the successful completion of its first collaboration with the South Africa Maritime and Transport College. “Five out of ten learners from our 2012/2013 programme have been incorporated into our permanent staff complement and we have high hopes for the next batch deployed at our Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, Durban and Cape Town branches respectively,” Deetlev Duve, managing director of Dachser South Africa, said. He told FTW that the five learners – Prince Khoza, Mina Swana, Fika Mkhize, Zama Sibiya and Mzwandile – all impressed with their willingness to learn and quick grasp of the industry. “Learnerships not only boost Black Economic Empowerment credits and are linked to discretionary grant funding, but provide companies with the opportunity to address the skills scarcity from the ground up.” He says training builds staff loyalty, ensures skills retention and builds a company’s brand within the industry as a preferred employer. “Because the learners work for a company for a year, it allows business owners or managers to mould them to their company culture and industry realities.” Duve says learners also get the benefit of Dachser’s experience and knowledge. “We place them in departments with real industry knowledge and skills and give them the chance to participate in a year-long job interview. If they apply themselves and embrace the opportunity, it will lead to a successful placement – a rare opportunity in a scarce job market,” he notes. CAPTIONS Prince Khoza, Mina Swana and Fika Mkhize … learnerships led to jobs for these new Dachser Durban employees.
