5 minute read
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
WHY FLEXIBLE, STUDENT-CENTRIC TRAINING IS CRITICAL
Executive director of the Southern African Institute of Welding (SAIW) JOHN TARBOTON shares how the pandemic has infl uenced the organisation to relook its training programmes.
SAIW is sometimes seen as having a ‘take it or leave it’ attitude and our courses are often considered unaffordable. As a result, we have taken a long hard look at how we operate and reimagine who we are and how we do things.
We also have a dedicated student liaison offi cer who is an experienced SAIW staff member and can provide detailed information and advice on career choices and how students can attain their goals and aspirations through the upskilling that we offer.
Looking at the practicalities of training amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant fi nancial fallout, the SAIW management team visited a substantial number of its members accompanied by physical or virtual sessions on Saturdays and other practical components and interactions, such as tutorials, which will require a physical presence.
and clients in the fi rst three months of this year. During these meetings, it became clear that many of its fabricator members have reduced their number of employees, and it has therefore become exceedingly diffi cult to release an employee to attend a course.
Some students have even had to request refunds for courses that they had paid for because they were denied time off from work. This is purely because employers have retrenched staff and cannot afford to give students extensive time off work, even if the course is funded by the employee. So there is a demand for after-hours virtual courses
FLEXIBILITY IS NEEDED
What training institutions must realise is that we must work hand in hand with industry so that collectively we provide students with the skills our crippling economy needs right now. How this translates into practicality is that training institutions should allow more fl exibility when it comes to training schedules.
Our new modular approach, for instance, will give employers the fl exibility to train people when their workload allows. A course could be completed over, say, two years. Modules will typically be one week and after each module, a class test will be written, and the module can be ‘banked’. The student can then complete the next module when fi nances or workloads allow.
Previously, smaller modules were also often presented at a fabricator’s facilities on a particular topic relevant to their needs. Ultimately, all the courses will be modularised to provide this fl exibility and to allow customisation of courses where desirable.
A student-centric, fl exible approach has also been applied to the payment of courses where SAIW now offers long-term payment options via the online revolving credit service Mobicred.
VIRTUAL LEARNING
Tarboton says that another COVID-19 related innovation that needs to be implemented across all training institutions is virtual learning, where the content allows. Virtual training has a John Tarboton host of added benefi ts for the student – it reduces travel, accommodation and related costs, particularly for those from out of town. This would also allow employees to be at work and attend online courses for those days that the instruction is all theory.
AA TECHNICAL COLLEGE – GETTING THE RIGHT TOOLS
FOR THE FUTURE
Trained and skilled artisans are often the unseen heroes of many organisations. They are the cogs in the wheels and engines that keep companies on the road
Without the skills of artisans, many companies would not be able to keep their vehicles operational. Therefore, their contribution to the bottom line is immense. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of skilled artisans in the automotive industry with fewer people entering the profession than is needed.
To address this, the Automobile Association of South Africa NPC (AA) launched its Technical College, which was awarded training provider accreditation on 21 June 2006 to facilitate full learnership qualifications of autotronics and, vehicle maintenance as well as apprentice training in the trades of automotive electrician, automotive engine fitter, diesel fitter, diesel fuel injection technician, diesel mechanic and motor mechanic (accreditation number: 17-QA/ACC/0023/06).
“Skilled artisans play a crucial role in any company as they reduce downtime and maintenance costs for businesses with big fleets. And, they are employable across a wide variety of industries from mining and agriculture to construction and transport. Many government departments also heavily rely on automotive artisans to keep their vehicles on the road,” says Werner Wandrey, national technical training manager at the AA Technical College (AATC).
Since its inception, around 1 200 students a year have passed through the AATC’s learning centre, qualifying in a range of different disciplines. “We train people to become automotive electricians, diesel mechanics, diesel fuel injection technicians, motor mechanics (petrol), diesel fitters and automotive engine fitters. When these students leave us, they go with a nationally accepted and useful qualification, making them a scarce resource in a competitive economy,” says Wandrey.
There are two main streams of learning offered at the AATC: Competency-based Modular Training (CBMT) and learnerships that are NQF aligned. There are different courses within each of these streams. “There are huge benefits for companies sending staff on these courses. The error ratio is reduced and the quality of work of the artisans who have been through our doors is markedly improved. There is great value in people attending these courses – not only for themselves personally, but also for the companies who send them to us,” explains Wandrey.
Importantly, the AATC is an accredited training facility and trade test centre. Accreditation has been awarded by the Department of Higher Education and the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations. As such, AATC can provide training for companies no matter to which Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) skills levies are paid.
Each of the courses offered at the college ranges from between 18 months and four years with the artisans then leaving with a formal qualification. “I think we understand the market extremely well and are producing quality artisans. After all, when they leave, they will say they were trained by the AATC, so we work hard to maintain the highest standards,” he says.
And this hard work is paying off, judging by the quality of clients who send their learners to the AATC for training, among these are original equipment manufacturers, dealers, groups and even the small and medium enterprise aftermarket.
➔ Scan this QR code to go directly to the company website.
For more information:
086 133 3668 aatrainingjhb@aasa.co.za www.aasa.co.za
