Employees - Truworths

TALENT AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENTTraining programmes are aimed at developing andretaining key employees, as well as addressing areasof scarcity which are vital for the sustainability of thebusiness. The main areas of focus are merchandisebuying and planning and retail management.Trainees participate in the merchant trainee programmewhich focuses on merchandise buying, planning anddesigning, and garment technology. This programmehas been successful and several middle and seniormanagers have been promoted into their currentpositions following the completion of this programme.These managers are now involved with the developmentof the current complement of trainees.The Group has bespoke leadership and managementprogrammes to facilitate the progress of talentedemployees. These programmes include a focus ondeveloping store managers to reach area manager level.Several head office employees participate in tailoredindividual development plans, while external coachesare used for personal development in meeting thesuccession needs of the business.A strong focus is also placed on learnerships, skillsprogrammes and internships to provide developmentopportunities for previously disadvantaged job seekers.The Group’s accreditation as a training provider has beenextended to include registration with the Department ofHigher Education and Training as well as the Wholesaleand Retail Sector Education and Training Authority.This enables the development of learning programmesthat are registered with the South African QualificationsAuthority and which are focused on addressing scarceand critical skills within the retail industry.All training and development programmes arebenchmarked locally and globally to ensure theGroup continues to be recognised as a retailer ofinternational standing.Skills development summary 2011 2010 2009Number of employees trained 9 521 7 610 7 089Black employees as a % of employees trained 93 90 89Number of employees trained on scarce skills 3 488 4 601 1 922Black employees as a % of employees trained on scarce skills 88 91 74Number of learning interventions 55 184 46 140 30 404Internal training programmes 96 80 99Number of learnerships registered 302 302 148Number of learnerships completed 186 117 144Number of employees on internships 118 52 30Number of employees on skills programmes 120 98 116SUCCESSION MANAGEMENTSuccession management is crucial to the sustainabilityof the business and high-potential employees areidentified and enrolled on development programmesto enhance the pool of leadership skills. Successionreviews are conducted annually in all business unitswhile functional heads in the Human Resourcesdepartment review succession on a quarterly basis.This process is supported by a succession managementtool which assists management to identify any gaps andtake remedial action where required. Many of the seniorexecutives in the Group have been promoted to theircurrent positions from within the business, reflectingthe benefits of succession planning and the focus oninternal appointments.The Non-executive and Nomination Committee of theboard evaluates short and medium-term successionplans for the Chief Executive Officer and other seniorexecutives regularly.INDUSTRIAL RELATIONSThe Group has a formalised relationship agreementwith the South African Commercial Catering and AlliedWorkers Union (SACCAWU) which represents 23%(2010: 22%) of the Group’s permanent employees inSouth Africa. In total 12% (2010: 13%) of permanentand flexi-time employees are union members.A one-year wage agreement was reached in May2011 with SACCAWU following intervention from theCommission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration(CCMA).No group-specific industrial action was experiencedduring the period. However, one day (affecting 211employees) of unprotected general industrial action wasexperienced in November 2010 as a result of the disputelodged by SACCAWU against all major retailers relatingto collective bargaining.Truworths International Limited Integrated Annual Report 201191