Entire Annual Report - Anglo American Platinum

Corporate" Human Resources Review . . . (continued)templates, there will be a growing need for highly competent employees. HRDestablishes a framework that facilitates the achievement of a consistent andcontinuous flow of competent employees at all levels of the organisation to meetthe Group’s current and future business needs. The role of the Anglo PlatinumDevelopment Centre (ADC) is critical in this context.Human ResourcesTo this end, the competency-based training and development methodologywas reviewed to ensure compliance with best practice and changing legislation.Steps were also taken to upgrade the competency levels of HRD Practitioners,so that they will continue to provide the most effective training anddevelopment interventions.As part of the focus on skills development, Anglo Platinum acquired theEngineering Skills Training Centre (ESTC) from Randfontein Estates Limitedin June 2000. This facility provides a diverse range of engineering trainingproducts and is recognised in the industry as a provider of high qualityengineering skills training. This was a major strategic acquisition in the light ofthe Group’s expansion plans.The ESTC was established in 1984 and has since this time established a broadclient base, of which Anglo Platinum operations form some 60%. The revenuegenerated from external clients in effect significantly reduces the cost ofengineering skills training for Anglo Platinum operations. The other importantbenefits of Anglo Platinum owning its own engineering skills training facilityare, firstly, that training can be customised to serve the specific needs ofthe Group’s Business Units, a significant factor in the light of the newstructures and the passing of the Skills Development Act; and, secondly, thatthe ESTC is well placed to respond to the Group’s growing future need forengineering skills.The Co-operative Training Scheme, which is under the auspices of ADC, servesto feed high calibre, appropriately qualified and competent staff into the lowerprofessional levels in a variety of occupational disciplines. It is also animportant mechanism for addressing the Employment Equity needs of theGroup. During 2000, 41 university graduates and technikon diplomats obtainedacademic qualifications under this scheme.Historically, this scheme has supported some 250 trainees at any one time.This number will be increased to 285 in 2001 in order to develop sufficientemployees for the Group’s expansion requirements.Adult Basic Education (ABET)Primary school sponsored by RPMThe ABET department of the ADC won the United Distillers and VintnersSpecial Merit Award in 2000 for excellent performance in ABET. This awardwas valued at R100 000.122