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.