Volvo
Group Southern Africa invested R1.9 million in the advanced development and
training of 20 unemployed commercial vehicle drivers.
In
2017, AB Volvo Group decided to donate funds on behalf of its employees to
various markets around the world to assist in resolving the different
challenges faced in local markets.
The
newly-established Volvo Group Driver Learnership programme in South Africa is
the direct result of this initiative.
Locally,
this programme is supported by Volvo Group brands Volvo Trucks and UD Trucks,
with product-specific training provided by the brands’ highly-skilled driver
trainers.
“We
are very proud to be able to make a tangible contribution to the development of
local transport industry. With an acute need for qualified and skilled drivers,
we believe this programme will start to address this industry-wide problem in a
very practical yet impactful way,” said Marcus Horberg, vicepresident of Volvo
Group Southern Africa.
“Transport
is key to economic growth in this region, and if we are able to upskill and
empower commercial vehicle drivers, it will help drive development, prosperity
and growth.”
The
first intake of drivers started their learnership in July 2018, and after they
have completed the 12-month learnership in June 2019, will graduate with a
National Certificate in Professional Driving from the Commercial Transport
Academy (CTA) in Bredell.
The
qualification, which is approved by the Transport Education Training Authority
is based on both theoretical and practical modules.
“Learnerships
are not new, however it is in the alignment of new knowledge learnt and its
application in the workplace that differentiates this programme,” said Nicci
Scott, founder of CTA.
“We
purposefully select unit standards that speak to stakeholder management, be it
the customer, the employer or the driver’s role in acting responsibly, with
safety as the key focus.
“Additionally,
we ensure that via our strategic partnership with Trucklogix, our learners
spend a minimum of 400 hours driving over four seasons and across nine
provinces.”
Horberg
said that the aim of the programme is to enhance the capacity of professional
drivers, and to ultimately enable them to contribute to their future employers’
fleet productivity, safety, profitability and efficiency.
One
of the learners is 39-year old Thabo Ratshoene, who has experience as truck
operator in the mining and construction industry.
“I
am very grateful to be part of this programme, and even though I am an
experienced truck driver, I believe this qualification will open new
opportunities for me.
“One
day, I would like to be a driver trainer myself, and all the knowledge and
experience gained through this course, will enable me to perhaps achieve this.
Horberg
said this driver learnership programme is a long-term programme for the
company. “Once the first group has graduated, we will be looking to
specifically enrol and develop more women drivers,” said Horberg.
Article
originally appeared in Export & Import Southern Africa: www.exportsa.co.za