At a cost in excess of R1 million, Cargo Carriers – a leading Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE)-listed logistics company – has opened a training centre at its Sasolburg branch where approximately 17 students a year are expected to undergo two training programmes. Cargo Carriers established the centre to ensure that the necessary skills are developed in order to grow the logistics company’s business in a sustainable manner.

From Left: Murray and Garth Bolton: joint CEOs of Cargo Carriers

“We have seen a lull in the number of individuals applying for apprenticeships, which has caused a large gap in the whole logistics industry countrywide. This makes it difficult to find suitable skills and human resources,” says Murray Bolton, the company’s chief executive officer (CEO). “The training centre is fully accredited, providing opportunities for sustainable skills transfer and growth. It will go a long way to ensuring we remain the logistics supplier of choice.”

The first trainee intake of 17 comprises seven four-year technical apprenticeships and 10 drivers, who will be trained over a period of nine months and licensed to operate specialised loads and vehicles. The training division is headed by experienced Cargo Carriers employees of long standing, making it a real apprenticeship and training facility with hands-on input from people who have been in the industry for years.

While it is expected that Cargo Carriers will employ most of the people who complete the apprenticeship or driver training, this is not guaranteed. Bolton is confident, however, that the company’s investment in training and skills development will bolster the industry as a whole. Cargo Carriers plans to train not only the people respond to its advertisements and are religiously screened; the company will also make training available to its customers’ employees. Safety, health , environment and quality (SHEQ) procedures will be included in each training programme.