Training Manager

Purpose of the Role

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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