MITB will launch apprenticeship system

THE SOUTH African freight forwarding industry, in partnership with its training arm - the MITB: F& C - intends transforming this country into the logistics and supply chain management hub of Southern Africa, said executive director Charles Dey.
The MITB:F & C has subsidised the studies of some 1556 students at a cost of R3,5 million with a further R1,8 million budgeted for this financial year.
It has also drafted a comprehensive set of unit standards for the industry, not only in the recognised area of customs procedures and forwarding, but also in supply chain management and logistics.
Dey said that soon, the MITB: F&C would have, under its control, the most comprehensive set of course material on international trade which has ever been available in South Africa.
The MITB: F& C is also in the process of introducing a formal learnership (or apprenticeship system) based on the successful German scheme, said Dey.
Matriculated and Standard 8 students would be able to obtain a basic knowledge of commerce while working and learning in the industry.
By Anna Cox