Saaff training gets global stamp of approval

Ensuring that training
standards for the South
African clearing and
forwarding industry are
aligned with international
norms is part and parcel of
what the SA Association
of Freight Forwarders’
training focus is all about.
A recent visit to South
Africa by Thomas Sims,
chair of the Advisory Body
for Vocational Training
for Fiata, the international
freight forwarding
body, saw local training
providers, all of whom
are Fiata-trained trainers,
presenting their material
to him.
“This evaluation process
will continue electronically
and be concluded early
in 2011 when Saaff will
again facilitate a workshop
where the content of the
courses will be validated to
Fiata expectations,” Saaff
training director Tony
d’Almeida told FTW.
What it means for Saafftrained
learners is that
they will be issued with
nationally recognised
qualifications and will
also be able to qualify
for the international
Fiata diploma – with its
global portability, said
D’Almeida.
Companies will be
eligible for mandatory
and discretionary grant
payments from the Seta as
well as the tax benefits for
learnerships if they choose
to send their staff on the
courses.
In an industry where
skilled staff is one of the
biggest challenges, it’s a
win-win situation for all
involved – companies as
well as learners.