OACL invests in skills development

ALAN PEAT A CRUCIAL issue for the SA shipping industry involves skills development, and a number of companies are taking the initiative. “We are committed to developing local talent,” says Ocean Africa Container Lines CEO Andrew Thomas. As part of its efforts, OACL is currently in the process of recruiting three youngsters from previouslydisadvantaged backgrounds for its new learnership scheme. The line is offering the selected candidates 12-month contracts during which they will be exposed to various areas of the shipping industry, while at the same time being provided with formal education via the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers’ programmes. “At the end of 12-months there’s a good chance they will be offered full time employment with OACL,” said Thomas, “or alternatively we will assist them to find employment elsewhere in the industry.”