In the fast-paced courier industry it is essential that training companies offer flexible services to accommodate all levels of employee development. According to Juliette Fourie, CEO of Metro Minds, the focus remains on more customised programmes for the industry. “In line with the National Development Plan (NDP) our learning methods lean towards workplace-integrated learning and simulation in order to assist with the overall targets of the country’s priorities,” she said.
The objective of the NDP is to reduce unemployment to 14% by 2020 and 6% by 2030. And while skills improvement increases the chance of being employed, the throughput rate at Further education and training (FET) institutions is poor despite increased numbers of learners. “The NDP proposes realignment of the economy to look at matching labour demand with supply,” said Fourie. “It becomes crucial when and how staff are trained and educated.
In industries such as the courier sector, which is fast and never sleeps, it is essential that training providers are flexible and meet the needs of companies. ”Commenting on funding issues, Fourie said the SETA funding models remained a good place to start with development plans but they were at the same time an administrative challenge to manage. “The new broad-based black economic empowerment codes also put pressure on companies to increase their skills development spend and focus on achieving the priority targets within the codes. there is a lot of pressure on industry to be profitable, productive and comply at the same time,” she said. “this requires reframing and refocusing on how skills development, talent management, compliance and regulation targets and human capital development should be executed.”
