Long-term training stories

In addition to the standard short-term training provided to staff, the CTICC also offered long-term training to 11 permanent staff members, which covered topics such as facilities management, operations management, cost and management accounting, sales management and strategic business management. This equated to 42 months of long-term training in total. Seven male and four female staff were trained. Some of their stories follow below.

Amanda van der Heever: Priceless lessons in cost management
Credit Controller – Finance

Amanda Van Der Heever has been with the CTICC for over ten years now as our star credit controller and recently completed a Cost and Management Accounting course at the University of Cape Town.

This nine-week programme equipped her with a deeper understanding of various costing systems, inventory management and decision-making processes.

Amanda’s training has given her a fresh perspective on the financial side of the business, which she joined in 2013, allowing her to apply her knowledge in areas such as budgeting and cost-volume-profit analysis.

She believes this course has helped position her to take on more responsibilities within the organisation. She is especially interested in the costing side of the business.

Amanda’s goal is to mentor colleagues and contribute to a collaborative work environment. She values the CTICC’s commitment to community and enjoys participating in our various corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities, such as Mandela Day and beach clean-ups, which have made a lasting impact on her career and personal development.

When asked what sort of legacy she should like to leave behind, she tells us: “I would like to be remembered as a leader who demonstrated expertise and added value to the organisation. I want to be known for inspiring others and motivating them to strive for excellence.”

“The course has given me insights into costing and budgeting, enhancing my ability to contribute to the financial success of the CTICC,” Amanda says.

Lazola Ndzima: Making an impact through long-term training
General Handyman – Operations: Maintenance

Since joining the CTICC in August 2018, Lazola Ndzima has been actively developing his skills, particularly through a long-term training programme in carpentry, buildings and civil construction. This 15-week course, provided by the Industries Education & Training Institute (IETI), is designed to enhance his practical expertise and align his professional growth with the needs of the CTICC.

Though the programme is still ongoing, Lazola has already completed significant hands-on tasks, such as building roof trusses, hanging doors, constructing staircases and managing stormwater drainage. He believes this training will prepare him for taking on more complex jobs at the CTICC.

Lazola is gaining valuable skills to contribute further to the CTICC’s legacy of excellence. The training also involves a mentorship aspect, which has provided guidance on technical skills and navigating challenges in his personal and professional life. “These types of bursaries and training provide mentorship for us to navigate challenges in family, friendships and our career,” Lazola explains.

This long-term programme has fostered Lazola’s growth in areas beyond technical expertise. Through his training, he has developed key skills in communication, problem solving and planning, which he believes are fundamental to succeeding in his role.

The impact of the programme extends beyond his own personal growth. Lazola plans to pass on the skills he has gained at the CTICC, particularly in areas like tool handling and project execution. “I plan on mentoring others, especially the interns, by sharing what I’ve learnt throughout the programme,” he says.

Looking ahead, Lazola sees this training as an essential step toward achieving his long-term career goals. He envisions leaving a legacy at the CTICC that reflects the journey he has undertaken – from where he started to where he hopes to end up.

“I want to leave a positive impact, showing where I started and where I may end up,” says Lazola.

Sihle Ngubeni: The importance of fostering collaboration for change
Operation Services Executive – Commercial

Sihle Ngubeni joined the CTICC in May 2023 as an operations services executive and in the 2024 financial year, she participated in the Operations Management three-month course at the University of Cape Town.

This three-month programme provided her with valuable theoretical and practical insights into operational processes in order to thrive in today’s complex business landscape. The course instilled the values of proactive problem-solving and teamwork, amongst many other important takeaways. This course formed part of her individual development plan.

The training allowed Sihle to collaborate with peers from various industries across the country, enriching her learning experience through diverse perspectives. Key takeaways from the course included the importance of collaboration, strategic thinking and risk management, all of which have enhanced her ability to contribute effectively in her role.

“I gained insights into aligning operational decisions with organisational goals and the value of planning and foresight. By learning how to effectively mitigate operational risks, I can ensure smoother operations and better respond to challenges,” says Sihle.

Since completing the course, Sihle has applied her new-found skills to improve decision-making and foster greater collaboration within the CTICC. Sihle hopes to make a lasting difference by sharing her knowledge with others. “I intend to collaborate with my colleagues and utilise the skills acquired from my training to support and enhance their abilities in their roles,” she says.

She views the training as a crucial step in building her career and looks forward to making a meaningful difference by contributing to a culture of teamwork and innovation.

“The course has enhanced my ability to analyse and make informed decisions while encouraging collaboration across departments,” Sihle says.