Reinstatement of Fiata diploma marks a milestone

In a significant development for the South African freight forwarding industry, last Wednesday saw the reinstatement of the Fiata diploma in South Africa It follows the presentation of the SA Association of Freight Forwarders’ extensive library of course material to the Fiata Advisory Body Vocational Training by Saaff Gauteng education and training representative, Janine Hampton – an initiative co-sponsored by a. hartrodt South Africa and Saaff. And it’s a development that adds significant value to the industry, says Tony d’Almeida, Saaff’s national education and training director. “South African freight forwarders need multiskilled, versatile people in order to add customer value. The training covered in the Fiata diploma produces people with the necessary competencies while the international nature of the qualification provides a powerful incentive for learners. “The Saaff Fiata diploma structure is aligned to two national qualifications which are registered as learnerships. This means that employers who enrol learners for the diploma will be eligible for maximum discretionary grant and tax benefits. By enrolling learners from targeted groups employers also gain significant BBBEE scorecard training points.” For the more experienced employees there are mechanisms that have been established by Teta (Transport Education and Training Authority) to recognise the learning they have gained through experience, rather than formal training, says d’Almeida. “This means that they too will be able to gain this qualification.” It’s an opportunity for freight forwarders to significantly raise the skills pool of the industry, in his view. “This development has the potential to take the South African freight forwarder to a new level of world competitiveness.” For further information email Margy Pedder at saaff@saaff. org.za