SAVRALA and Theta sign up for Mobility Services Project

February 2009

The Southern African Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (SAVRALA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Education and Training Authority (Theta) whereby a training and development programme will address the shortage of fully trained chauffeurs and professional passenger transport during the 2010 Soccer World Cup event and beyond.
Theta is the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) established under the Skills Development Act (No. 97 of 1998) for the Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Economic Sector.
Mobility services problems were identified during the World Summit held in Gauteng in 2002 resulting in qualified drivers being brought in from around South Africa to assist with the passenger transport needs at that time. Some of these drivers were unfamiliar with the surrounds and also not fully trained to operate as chauffeurs which lead to complaints from tourists.
The Mobility Services Skills project is aimed at chauffeurs/drivers currently employed by member organizations and they will make up 70 per cent of the trainees with the balance being recruited from the following categories:

• Unemployed graduates registered on Theta’s database

• Qualified tour guides wishing to become employed as chauffeurs or professional passenger transport operators

• Tour operators wanting to specialise or extend their services to chauffeur drive services

• Unemployed persons who wish to find gainful employment or self-employment in the mobility services industry

It is assumed that learners entering this skills development programme will possess communications skills equivalent to NQF Level 4 and be competent in Mathematics Literacy and Financial Literacy at NQF Level 3. Learners who are currently employed will preferably have workplace experience with passenger transport processes at NQF Level 3 or the equivalent.

Learners will be screened according to the following criteria:

• Over than 21 years of age

• In possession of an unendorsed valid driver’s licence with an expiry date after December 2010

• Have a valid category ‘P’ public driving permit or fulfil the conditions required to obtain it

• Pass an online driver profiling test

• Be a resident of one of the 2010 Soccer World Cup host cities for a minimum of three years

• •Pass a placement test in English communications skills

For further information, contact Muzi Mwandla at Theta on telephone 011 217 0600 or email muzi@theta.org.za