Knowledge is power

Practice makes perfect. In the fields of safety, health, environmental issues, and quality, it’s paramount to strive for perfection … We chat to Thomas van Niekerk, national training manager at risk management solutions provider IRCA Global, about the importance of skills and training.

IRCA Global’s training department offers a wide range of courses, totalling over 50, designed to meet diverse needs. Its offerings include:

• Legal liability training (focused on the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Mine Health and Safety Act).
• Hazard identification and risk assessment (HIRA) techniques.
• Incident investigation.
• The root cause analysis technique (RCAT).
• Modern SHEQ/risk management (MSRM).
• Auditor training.
• Risk management qualification programmes (RISKMAQ).

Which of these courses are the most popular with your clients? 

Risk assessment training is essential to the success of effective management systems. Our clients understand the importance of thorough risk assessments in the development of efficient management strategies. Additionally, our course emphasises the critical need to test controls to ensure their effectiveness. The HIRA course is also validated by the South African Council for Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP), further enhancing its credibility and value.

Legal liability training meets the strong demand from clients to understand legislative compliance. Our course offers a detailed overview of relevant acts, ensuring personnel at all levels acquire the necessary knowledge. 

While investigating incidents is an unfortunate necessity, the popularity of our incident investigation/RCAT training course reflects a move toward identifying system failures and implementing long-term corrective actions. This approach shifts the focus away from blaming individuals and towards enhancing management systems for a safer workplace. 

Health and safety representative training recognises that health and safety representatives play a crucial role in workplace safety. Our two-day course ensures delegates receive the training and skills necessary to make a positive impact in their organisations. This course is also validated by SACPCMP, further enhancing its credibility and value.

The Modern SHEQ/risk management course, a flagship offering by IRCA, is widely recognised as a key requirement for safety officers in the industry. Validated by SACPCMP, the MSRM course provides 23 continual professional development hours and delivers substantial value.

How has training changed over the years? 

The most significant change has been the shift away from physical contact, which, while brief, accelerated technological advancements. The rise of e-learning and virtual training has allowed organisations to allocate training budgets more effectively, reducing associated costs and enabling broader employee participation.

What challenges are training providers (and their clients) facing?

One major challenge facing skills development providers (SDPs) is the transition from Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) accreditation to Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) accreditation. The absence of legacy unit standards as available skills programmes under the QCTO framework creates a gap, posing difficulties for both providers and clients.

Another challenge is the lack of safety prioritisation in certain organisations, which is often linked to the overall safety culture within the organisation.

How is IRCA Global overcoming these challenges?

We maintain direct engagement with the QCTO to stay updated on new occupational qualifications and skills programmes, ensuring we are prepared to achieve accreditation for these newly developed curricula. Additionally, our facilitators focus on the specific needs of each client, incorporating their unique documentation into our courses to enhance the relevance of the training and ensure effective knowledge transfer.

What should companies consider before, during, and after their employees have received training?

Before training, companies should align training with their identified risks and specific occupational requirements. It’s also essential to consider the reputation of the SDP, as training should be seen as an investment, not an expense. Proper training reduces overall risk costs in the long term.

During training, companies should ensure that employees are given adequate time to complete the training without being pulled back into the workplace, allowing for focused participation.

After training, companies should evaluate the effectiveness of the training through methods such as surveys, assessing whether the training was applicable to their employees’ work environments and how it was received. 

Are there any trends within the training sphere that excite you?

Although not really a trend, one exciting development is the shift to QCTO accreditation, which brings clarity and structure to the qualifications for roles such as safety assistants, safety officers, and safety practitioners. This move towards standardised qualifications will benefit the industry by enhancing consistency and competence. 

What does the future hold for training in South Africa?

We anticipate that the future will see the integration of various technologies, which will significantly enhance the effectiveness of skills development.

What else would you say to companies thinking about training their employees?

It is crucial to engage reputable training service providers to ensure high-quality outcomes. Key factors to consider include well-developed training materials, knowledgeable and experienced facilitators, and a commitment to ongoing research and development. These elements are essential for maintaining the effectiveness and relevance of the training provided.