JOY ORLEK THE ROAD Freight Association has embarked on a range of training initiatives to upskill its workforce in general and attract new entrants to the diminishing pool of trained long-distance drivers. It’s an initiative that started in 2005 in the form of a workshop called “Operation Driver 2006 and Beyond” which addressed the critical shortage of competent truck drivers. A recently-undertaken industry survey has confirmed the need for truck drivers – for heavy, ultra-heavy, articulated and rigid trucks. It looked at the needs of the industry and the requirements of a driver training programme, and revealed a pressing need for long-distance drivers. “In terms of skills training, there is a willingness by the industry to work through an RFA provider as long as the training is practical and not focused on soft skills,” says RFA CEO Sharmini Naidoo. “There is an obvious need for “hands-on” training.” But the lack of industry information regarding the content of training and the capacity of training providers has hampered progress. “We only have eight driver trainer providers accredited with the Transport Education and Training Authority (Teta) and we don’t know what they offer in terms of content and capacity,” Naidoo told FTW. “Learnerships comprise fundamental and core components, with the elective left up to the training provider. The RFA would like to play a role in recommending industry-related electives to ensure that the qualification remains relevant. Some learnerships are still based on the old unit standards.” The way forward, as she sees it, is to create a pool of RFA-accredited training providers with RFA-accredited trainers to ensure uniform skills competence. The current assessment method used by Teta is a concern to the RFA, says Naidoo, but they have given their commitment to work with the RFA to ensure that the assessment of training providers will include a clear demonstration of the trainer's competence and ability to transfer skills. “There was talk of the RFA setting up a driver training academy but before we reinvent the wheel we need to assess what is already available. “We will conduct on-site visits with existing academies to see what’s out there. Should we receive the necessary support from industry, we would consider facilitating the establishment of a driver training academy. There may be an opportunity to work with industry partners on this initiative, rather than for us to incur high costs in the setting up of an academy.” Furthering its broader training ambitions, RFA has been granted funding from Teta for the training of 30 unemployed learners who will study for the Road Transport Management Certificate. “This will combine theoretical study with on-the-job training provided by operating companies,” says Naidoo. The RFA also holds a range of workshops and seminars throughout the year on topics of interest to SMMEs, BEE companies and the like, covering a miscellany of topics designed to help them enhance their business.
