Transnet puts skills development at heart of strategy

"Human capital development is going to be at the forefront of our plan and our programme because we have to make sure that as we create sustainable jobs through this level of investment and heightened level of activity, we are developing our people to be able to operate the infrastructure," said Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) chief executive officer Karl Socikwa.

He was speaking at a breakfast briefing of the Africa Ports and Harbours Show on Tuesday.

Transnet is investing R300 billion in the Market Demand Strategy, which is informed by the requirements of the market. Through the state-owned freight logistics group's Market Demand Strategy, rail, port and pipeline infrastructure will be expanded over a seven-year period to the tune of R300 billion.

Of the R300 billion, TNP will receive about 10% of the amount, translating to just over R33 billion.

"We are working with organised labour," he said, adding that apprenticeships programmes were being rolled out.

Socikwa added that Transnet was aware of the critical role it played in growing the South African economy, which faced high unemployment and recently low GDP growth.

"Transnet, in all that it does, is very aware and alive to the fact that it plays a vital role in growing the economy and ensuring that South Africa and the competitiveness of SA relative to other countries in the world is bolstered," he said.

Transnet believed that it was important to involve private sector participation so as to be able to cater for levels of demand.

Socikwa said collaboration was important and they could not do it alone, adding that Transnet is open for business.