ABET has empowered ATNS Adult employees with the skills and knowledge to make a difference in their social – as well as the work environments
Several ATNS Employees have been given a new lease on life, thanks to Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET).
ABET is the general conceptual foundation towards lifelong learning and development, comprising of knowledge, skills and attitudes required for social, economic and political participation and transformation applicable to a range of contexts. It is flexible, developmental and targeted at the specific needs of particular audiences and ideally, provides access to nationally recognised certificates.
ATNS CEO Thabani Mthiyane says education is an essential component of the reconstruction, development and transformation of the South African society. “The government’s policy for ABET must be understood within the overarching goal of building a just and equitable system which provides good quality education and training to adult learners throughout the country” Mthiyane concluded.
ATNS has aligned itself with the National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS III) and the Human Resource Development Strategy for South Africa, where the company has dedicated itself to ensuring improved universal access to quality basic education and schooling (up to Grade 12) – that is purposefully focused on achieving a dramatic improvement in the education outcomes for the poor; equipping learners with optimal capacity for good citizenship and the pursuit of post-school vocational education and training for employment
As one of ATNS’s Human Capital (HC) Strategic Focus Areas, the company aims to attract, build and retain talent that is aligned with the business objectives – while pursuing transformation agenda. “We envisage that through the ABET program, as a company we would be able to retain and attract our Adult learners. Our HC Department has embarked a company-wide rolling out programme” says HC Executive, Thandi Thankge. “ATNS has to date, ten Adult Learners from both our ATNS OR Tambo International Airport (FAOR) as well as the Aviation Training Academy, who have successfully completed assessments and will be commencing with classes in the third week of February 2017” she stated.
Since the programme’s inception in 2015, 10 learners have registered and successfully completed their courses. Of the total, two have also managed to register for N4 Bridging Course in Business Administration.
One of the employees, Olga Rakgowa, says she is proud to be on the programme. “There has been a vast difference from the past to the current situation – my English Communication has improved in terms of reading, writing and communicating. I am determined to carry on learning until I reach my set goal – which is obtaining a matric certificate”.
Thomas Chonco, ATNS Security employee (and the only male in the programme), says prior to the introduction of ABET, he lacked confidence in communicating with others. “I can now converse confidently with any visitor who walks in through the ATNS reception”. There has been a change in customer service where he understands needs of different customers.
Thozama Mlilo who has been with ATNS for twenty-two (22) years, was among five workers (see attached image) who completed their English Communication level 4 and honoured at the ATNS Rewards and Recognition Function, held at the end of 2016.