Training Manager

Purpose of the Role

• To lead and manage all training across the IFS Group (Africa), including mandatory, skills-based and outsourced training, with the objective of assessing 7 000 employees and certifying the competence of all employees to perform their roles across approximately 50 sites.
• To manage training service providers and ensure that the local development programme objectives, strategic development targets and best practice requirements related to training are achieved and reported on monthly.
• To manage internship and learnership programmes in the various countries in which the IFS Group operates, ensuring compliance with local legislation.

Key Responsibilities

2.1. Training Strategy, Planning and Governance

• Develop and implement the Group training strategy and annual training plans, aligned to business requirements and the People Performance strategy.
• Translate the local development programme objectives that relate to training into measurable country and site training plans.
• Develop, implement and maintain training, assessment and certification policies, procedures and guidelines in line with best practice.
• Prepare and manage the Group training budget, ensuring the cost-effective allocation of resources across countries and sites. Monitor developments in learning and development best practice and recommend improvements to training processes, systems and methodologies.
• Act as the key liaison for training with operational management, country HR teams and the People Performance Manager.

2.2. Training Delivery and Competence Certification

• Oversee the planning, scheduling and delivery of all mandatory, skills-based and outsourced training across the Group.
• Ensure that all mandatory and statutory training (including health and safety, induction and client-specific requirements) is completed and kept current.
• Establish and maintain role-based competency frameworks and assessment standards for all positions.
• Manage the assessment, moderation and certification of employee competence, and ensure that a current record of competence is maintained for every employee.
• Identify skills gaps through training needs analyses, performance data and line manager input, and implement interventions to close them.
• Evaluate the effectiveness and impact of training on performance and behaviour, and recommend changes where required.
• Ensure that training material is relevant, current and of a consistently high standard.

2.3. Service Provider Management

• Identify, evaluate and appoint accredited training service providers in line with Group procurement policies.
• Negotiate and manage service level agreements, scope of work and costs with service providers.
• Monitor service provider performance, quality of delivery and accreditation status, and take corrective action where standards are not met.
• Verify service provider invoices against training delivered and approved budgets.

2.4. Internship and Learnership Programmes

• Plan, implement and manage internship and learnership programmes in each country in which the Group operates.
• Ensure that all programmes comply with local skills development, employment and sector education and training legislation and regulations.
• Manage the recruitment, placement, mentorship, progress monitoring and completion of interns and learners.
• Liaise with the relevant government bodies, sector education and training authorities (or equivalent) and accredited institutions, and manage the associated registrations, submissions, grants and incentives.
• Track and report on the absorption of interns and learners into permanent positions.

2.5. Reporting, Quality Assurance and Target Achievement

• Compile and present monthly training reports to the People Performance Manager and management, covering training activity, competence certification, compliance status, spend and progress against targets.
• Track and drive the achievement of strategic development targets related to training, escalate risks and recommend corrective action where targets are at risk.
• Prepare and submit statutory training reports and plans as required by local legislation (e.g. Workplace Skills Plans and Annual Training Reports in South Africa).
• Ensure that training documentation and records are accurate, auditable and maintained on the training management system.
• Participate in internal, external and ISO audits and ensure that audit findings related to training are actioned.

2.6. People Leadership and Self-Management

• Lead, develop and manage the performance of the training team and site training coordinators across the Group.
• Take ownership and accountability for deliverables and demonstrate effective planning, prioritising and self-development.
• Inform relevant parties in the event of risks to deadlines or targets and provide appropriate resolution.
• Build effective working relationships with stakeholders at all levels and across all countries of operation.
• Promote a culture of continuous learning and model the IFS values.

Qualification and Experience

• Relevant degree in Human Resources, Education, Organisational Development or a related field
• Registered assessor and moderator accreditation (advantageous)
• 8 years’ experience in training and skills development, of which at least 3 years a management level
• Proven experience in managing internship and learnership programmes and training service providers
• Experience in a multi-country environment (advantageous)

Preference will be given to internal applicants and appointments that support the achievement of our Employment Equity and Affirmative Action goals