Kelly Industrial, leading providers of human resources and people management solutions in the industrial sector, have announced the successful completion of a NQF Level 1 driver training programme for their flexi employees based at UTi South Africa.

The flexi employees received their Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA) national certificates at a graduation ceremony held at the Kelly Industrial Centurion branch on 29th November.

The NQF level 1 general education and training certificate in transport forms part of an integrated life-long training programme for Kelly Industrial’s flexi employees, which covers literacy, numeracy and general education geared towards meeting the educational needs in the transport industry.

“The training programme aims to improve the employability of learners in the transport sector, and at the same time add value to the clients who currently utilise these flexi employees in their operations,” says Judy Rossouw, Operations Director at Kelly Industrial.

“The coursework in the NQF level 1 certification also promotes the staff’s capacity for continued learning and promotes learning based outcomes.”

On completion of the NQF level 1 course learners will be equipped with basic communication and financial competencies, as well as a greater awareness of the factors impacting the transport sector in South Africa.

However, according to Rossouw, the generic nature of the coursework will give learners the opportunity to find employment in other industrial sectors.

“We also teach learners general life skills, such as how to handle finances, how to open a bank account and also cover the topic of HIV/Aids and the effects the pandemic is having on the industry,” continues Rossouw.

To qualify for enrolment in the course learners need to complete an Adult Basic Education (ABE) level 2 written test.

Performance and service records are also reviewed. Additional requirements for the TETA NQF level 1 course are a valid driver’s licence, Professional Driving Permit (PDP) and a matric.

“There are 44 flexi employees that have graduated this course, which includes truck drivers and van assistants who are currently employed at UTi,” says Rossouw.

“This is a value added service we are offering our clients to ensure that the flexi employees that they employ are constantly developed and continue to add value to their business. Following the graduation from the course we will be working on succession planning with these learners to ensure their continued up-skilling.

Keith Pienaar, UTi VP Africa Distribution says “UTi’s has a strong culture of learning and endorses the benefits of a programme such as this. “We value working with proactive suppliers like Kelly Industrial, who are willing to invest in their people. It is aligned with our internal culture of nurturing talent and fosters a strong partnership between our two companies”.

Kelly Industrial will be rolling out an additional 200 learnerships at UTi for general workers and the remaining drivers that did not attend the initial course in the New Year.

“Our focus will be on the retention of these flexi employees to ensure that UTi benefits from the return on the investment we are making in our flexi employees,” concludes Rossouw.