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Sharp
as buttons -
On completion of their military training,
personnel will pass into active employment within the road freight
industry. |
In last year's Special Report on Skills Development it was mooted that the driver skills shortage could be suitably addressed by involving the South African National Defense Force (SANDF), whereby it acted as a training ground for truck drivers who would graduate into the transport industry. A year later and it's a reality, thanks to the efforts of one of South Africa's leading training providers within the transport sector, writes
Paul Collings.
The man behind the initiative is Paul Matthew, CEO of Ikaheng HR Services. "The South African National Defense Force and specifically the SA Army is working together with Ikaheng in a joint venture to equip young SA Army members with portable skills to allow 'soft landing' within the private sector when they exit the SA Army," he says.
Responding to the road freight industry's cry for skilled drivers (code EC specifically), Matthew, who has been involved in the education and training of personnel in the road transport for the last 14 years, decided to be proactive in finding a solution for the industry. "Ikaheng has put together this venture, together with the Army, to create a pool of qualified heavy vehicle drivers for the industry. The launch of the Ikaheng Driver Academy is a first of its kind since the inception of the Military Skills Training Programme in January 2005," explains Matthew. "The academy commenced with the first pilot group in Cape Town in September 2006, with 17 drivers graduating in January 2007. These 17 drivers are now driving for four different transport companies. The Academy is currently completing a further 14 drivers who will be employed by the end of May 2007."
Ikaheng launched the Academy in Kwa-Zulu Natal in mid March 2007, with 21 army personnel and a confirmed further 50 drivers to be trained for this region, says Matthew. "The Academy will commence in Gauteng in May with 100 drivers to be trained. Our numbers may be a bit low currently to meet the industries needs, but it is of the utmost importance that we produce a high level skilled driver to meet the industry's requirements and therefore this programme will not be rushed."
The six-month programme has trainees gaining their learner's license, progressing on to a Code EC license. "The learner completes the Dangerous Goods (DQ 11) and DQ 10/9 of the professional driver qualification. The programme is split - 40 % theory and 60% practical road experience at the Academy," adds Matthew.
According to Colonel Johan Preller, "the important role of a training provider like Ikaheng HR Services cannot be over emphasized. Together with the SA Army they will be adding additional portable vocational skills to an already well-disciplined group of young South Africans, enabling then these young soldiers to enter the South African labour market with confidence whilst simultaneously serving in the Reserve Force of the SA Army."
"Going forward, the SA Army will increase the numbers of young soldiers entering the South African job market, providing an ongoing supply of young people into the Academy to be trained for the road freight industry," concludes Matthew.
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