AIR Products has implemented numerous programmes over the years to strengthen the company’s Skills Development efforts and to ensure the growth of employees and diversity in the workplace.
As a leader in the industrial gas industry, Air Products, like many other businesses in South Africa strive to contribute towards the growth and development of their employees, but more importantly, the South African workforce as a whole. Skills Development no longer only impacts individual businesses, the impact on the economy as a whole is evident.
At the heart of Skills Development, the team who oversees this portfolio ensures compliance to legislation, navigates the company through the complex landscape of Skills Development and ensures that the relevant deadlines are met.
According to Zodwa Tomile, learning and development manager at Air Products, Skills Development plays a critical role in gaining, improving, and expanding the abilities of employees which can be done as formal, informal and on-the-job training.
There are numerous advantages of enabling employees to improve their skills set as it equips them to adapt to changes in the work environment, improves their employability, assists them to achieve their professional goals and it contributes to the overall performance and success of the organisation.
Skills Development, a key element within the Human Resources (HR) portfolio
Skills Development plays a pivotal role in HR, specifically within Air Products, as it ensures that the skills and knowledge required by employees are in place.
Most importantly, it looks at the trends in the industry/sector in terms of scarce and critical skills, sourcing and implementing relevant interventions.
Tomile explains that the industrial gas industry is specialised and technical, which requires a workforce with specific skills sets. It is important to equip the employees with the knowledge and relevant skills they require to function optimally in their roles.
Furthermore, Skills Development assists in creating and strengthening a talent pool within the company.
Tomile, who joined Air Products in 2016, explains that she has worked tirelessly to change the status quo and the company has experienced positive outcomes as a result, due to the support and buy-in from all internal stakeholders.
She further mentions that learners and programme participants are the heart of all the training interventions that they implement.
Unpacking Skills Development and legislation
Organisations within all industries are required to compile and submit the Workplace Skills Plan (WSP)/Annual Training Report (ATR) to their respective Sector Education and Training Authority (SETAs). This information is consolidated into the Sector Skills Report, which in turn informs the National Skills Plan. The National Skills Plan determines the skills needed for the country and issues a directive to relevant institutions for implementation.
Skills Development is underpinned by a number of South African regulations such as the Skills Development Act, Skills Development Levies Act, Employment Equity Act and BBBEE Act to mention a few.
However, as an industrial gas manufacturing organisation, Air Products is affiliated to the Chemical Industries Training Authority (CHIETA) Sector Education Training Authority (SETA).
CHIETA plays an important role in identifying the skills needs and gaps within the chemical industry and partnering with the industry in addressing those skills / training needs.
For more information on Air Products, visit www.airproducts.co.za
