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BLUE LABEL INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2016
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Social practices
The Group has made significant
progress in pursuing its
transformation agenda, inclusive of
but not limited to staff development,
social upliftment and initiatives which
have a positive impact on the South
African economy as a whole.
Training and development
The Group continues to adopt a
blended learning approach to staff
development. All training and
development initiatives are aimed at
addressing development needs
identified in the workplace and the
upskilling of staff. A blended learning
approach incorporates both online
and classroom-based training. As a
significant number of staff are based
in regional offices, this method allows
all staff to benefit from the same
standards of training regardless of
where they are based.
Online training initiatives
The e-learning option allows staff
with identified training needs to
access training material via the
e-learning portal. Material covered
focuses on Microsoft Office
applications (e.g. Excel, Word,
PowerPoint) at beginner, intermediate
and advanced levels.
The technology staff have unlimited
access to “Safari Books”. This ensures
that they have exposure to cutting-
edge material aimed at enhancing
their technology skillsets. Once staff
have completed the various
assessments linked to Safari Books,
they are able to register and complete
a number of online examinations for
certification.
Classroom-based training
initiatives
The Group offers various modules in a
classroom environment. The purpose
of these modules is to address various
shortfalls within the skillset of the
lower to middle levels of staff.
Modules offered include customer
service training, planning and
organising, meeting management,
supervisory skills for mid-
management, time management,
project management and problem
solving. All course material is
customised for the Group
environment and specifically focuses
on issues encountered on a daily
basis.
Product-based training
Blue Label Distribution utilises the
“MyTrack” portal to communicate,
train and house product-related
content. Staff may access the
“MyTrack” website to view the latest
changes and updates on products and
services and other related information.
Each staff member loads a training
plan, specific to their job role, and
progresses from Baby Blu (induction
course), via Light Blu and finally to
True Blu. On completion of each set,
staff are incentivised and rewarded by
earning points and badges. Usage is
carefully monitored to ensure that all
staff are up to date with the latest
products, services, policies and
procedures.
Senior Management and
Executives
Certain members of staff participate
in a guided coaching programme
aimed at enhancing their strategic
thinking and leadership skills. Each
participant is assigned a coach and
together with their direct manager
agree to a development plan around
their specific needs. Pre- and post-
course assessments are completed
and significant improvements in the
strategic and leadership abilities have
been recorded.
Ad hoc training
The Group may also support staff
requesting ad hoc job-related training.
Such training is linked to the staff
members’ development plan and
participation is subject to a work-back
contract.
The Group skills development spend
for the period under review was
R7 million (2015: R3.9 million). The
growth in spend resulted from a
greater commitment to the
development needs of staff, an
increased focus on upskilling
technology staff, and the upwardly
revised target contained within the
amended B-BBEE codes, which came
into effect during the period under
review.
Learnerships
There are 14 (2015: 13) learners
currently completing various SETA
accredited learnerships within the
Group. In order to optimise the value
add both to the organisation and the
learners, three streams of learnerships
have been implemented – technology,
financial accounting and end-user
computing. This focused approach
ensures that learners gain maximum
exposure to their discipline in the
workplace, while the organisation
derives a dedicated learner. As
appropriate, learners are deployed in
the Technology division, offering first
line end-user support in the creditors,
debtors and finance loadings
departments.