Crossroads Distribution, one of South Africa’s leading road freight and logistics companies, has ramped up plans for its national Training Academy with a view to opening it up as a revenue-generating facility by the end of the year.
Officially launched in 2023, the Crossroads Training Academy currently enrols more than 200 Crossroads drivers across four locations in Gqeberha, Midrand, East London and Durban, all working towards an Occupational Truck Driver Certificate that meets SAQA ID 93 793 and NQF LEVEL 3 certifications.
The current course is made up of three compulsory modules, including knowledge modules (theory-based), practical skills modules, and workplace modules.
As part of its expansion plans, Crossroads recently appointed veteran HR, training and development specialist Simone Felix as its new Head of Learning and Development, tasking her with steering the training and development program for the entire company, from the Academy through to support staff and management.
Part of Felix’s role will be to steer the current Training Academy qualifications through the pending regulatory changeover to the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) from July this year.
“The way we train is going to change once QCTO takes over, because learners will be required to sit through external examinations separate from our own assessments in order to qualify for nationally-accredited certifications,” says Felix.
“Beyond the logistical aspects of this transition, we also want to make the training we offer not just technical or mechanical, but also encompass driver behaviour, attitude, and ownership,” she says. “If we can instil a ‘my truck, my journey, my responsibility’ mantra, we’re not only training better drivers, we’re nurturing better people.”
Felix says that in many instances, clients have their own training and certification requirements, especially those clients freighting dangerous goods and hazardous materials.
“Our plan is to coordinate the functions of the Academy with what our clients need on top of that,” says Felix. “We’re also gearing up the Academy to offer refresher courses for experienced drivers, which needs to happen at least once a year, and which cover diverse topics like first aid, firefighting, and conveying dangerous goods.”
With proper oversight and a smooth transition to QCTO regulations, the Crossroads Training Academy will be partnering with industry to deliver training beyond its own staff and contribute to the development of skilled unemployed drivers.
