September 2009

An innovative professional driver training and learnership programme implemented by Mercedes- Benz South Africa (MBSA) has produced results more than double that of the national average for the NQF (National Quality Framework) qualification with a 53% pass rate. The national average is 24,7%.

MBSA president and CEO, Dr Hansgeorg Niefer says he is delighted to report that the three-year programme launched by MBSA in October 2006 in collaboration with Merseta (the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority) and Teta (the Transport Education and Training Authority) has been an outstanding success.

In what was an innovative move, and a first for the local automotive industry, the programme was initiated with a fund of R6,5 million, made up of contributions by each of the above three organisations.

“Our aim was to alleviate the shortage of skilled commercial vehicle drivers for all sectors, and especially for vehicle carriers, in which we have a keen interest,” Niefer explains. “With a programme such as this everyone benefits. The road transport infrastructure benefits from quicker turnaround times, a reduction in insurance claims, lower fuel consumption, reduced maintenance costs and reduced downtime of vital commercial transportation, whether short or long haul.”

At the time of the launch of the project, the then Minister of Transport, Jeff Radebe endorsed the programme, saying: “It is an exceptional example of the private sector partnering with government bodies and departments towards a mutually beneficial solution.”

The programme was structured in such a way that the selected learners gained both knowledge and practical experience in the workplace, before they went on to qualify for the NQF3. To support the workplace element of the programme, a number of host employers joined this learnership collaboration. These included Vehicle Delivery Services (VDS), Benoni Sand, Wit Deep, RAM, PUTCO, Unitrans and Enigma. The training was managed by the Mercedes-Benz Dealer Training Department, while Dynamic Skills Solution facilitated and managed the learnership programme, together with MBSA’s Dealer Training Department.

The Department of Labour also assisted with the placement of 34 suitable learners, while six interested learners were nominated by Mercedes-Benz South Africa.

The learnership covers specific fundamental topics like HIV/AIDS, Safety, Health and Environment (SHE), mathematics, and communication – within the context of commercial vehicle drivers’ responsibilities. The learnership focused primarily on the core procedures for a driver, including preparing a load, loading and offloading high-value goods, driving a vehicle economically and defensively, as well as finalising a load.

These drivers graduating today are a critical part of the entire South African and African transport chain. Their professional skills are vital to the economic wellbeing of the region”, says Niefer. “We are certainly broke new ground with this programme,” says Niefer. “It has made a contribution to job creation, the enhancement of skills, socio-economic development and enterprise development. This programme has resulted in 59 previously unemployed South Africans becoming fully employed, and thus 59 families who now have a much brighter future.”