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.”