German Dual-Training System as applied in South Africa by the SA German Training Services (SAGTS) programme called: Commercial Advancement Training Scheme (CATS)

Following the successful show on SAfm this morning (2^nd April 2012), there will be a follow up show tomorrow, the 3^rd April 2012, 08h00 – 09h00, on SAfm (104 – 107 FM) to look at how Germany addressed the issue of skills development, basing it on the famous Dual-System (schooling combined with practical learning on the job).

This system was introduced to South Africa in 1985 by the Southern African German Chamber of Commerce & Industry, as the Commercial Advancement Training Scheme (CATS), which is now a division of the South Africa German Training Services (SAGTS).

The CATS has now been South Africanised and is accredited by the FASSET SETA. It however continues to be accredited by the Association of German Chambers of Commerce (Berlin, Germany), which gives the South African graduates a recognition in South Africa, Germany and European Union. As a result the South African companies are now participating in the programme as well.

To entrench this South Africanisation, the South Africa German Training Services (SAGTS) has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the oldest Human Resources professional organization in Africa, the Institute of People Management (IPM), http://www.ipm.co.za/

PROGRAMME LINE UP ON SAfm: 3rd April 2012, at 08h00 - 09h00:

Studio guests:

·         Mr Bandile Gwebu, Marketing Co-Ordinator of SAGTS, and 2009/2010 graduate of CATS.

·         Mr Sam Tsima, graduate of 1986/1987 CATS programme. Went on to do similar programme, Industriekaufmann (IHK), in Germany under Siemens AG. Now founder and board member of SAGTS. President & Chairman, Cometsa Group.

Telephonic participants:

·         Mr Matthias Boddenberg, CEO, SA German Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and Chairman of SA German Training Services (SAGTS), and Ms Silke Partner (Manager CSR Competence Centre, SA German Chamber of Commerce & Industry), to give historical overview of the Dual-Training System in Germany.

·         Ms Adelha Rhoda, HR Director, Merck Group, a South African German company that has been participating in the CATS Programme for number of years and has graduates now working in the company. She will be joined a graduate from the CATS Programme.

·         Mr Jacques De Villiers, Chief Operating Officer, Commercial Advancement Training Scheme. Can be called at: 083 282 0704

·         Ms Mahlatse Letsoalo, HR Manager, and Ms Elise Kuelder, Learning & Development Manager, Bayer (Pty) Ltd, a South African German company that been participating in the CATS Programme since its inception in 1985. They will be joined by a graduate from the CATS Programme.