Almost 2,000 Transnet employees achieve railway qualifications
Glasgow Caledonian University, the University of Johannesburg and the Chartered Institution of Railway Operators today celebrated its unique 12-year partnership with Africa’s largest freight rail company Transnet.
The University hosted a graduation ceremony at Transnet’s Esselenpark Campus, Johannesburg, for the latest cohort of employees who have achieved awards from Glasgow Caledonian as part of a work-based education programme.
To date, 1,960 Transnet employees have graduated with Masters and Undergraduate awards in Railway Operations Management, thanks to substantial and sustained employer commitment to railway-specific education that supports workforce mobilisation, organisational achievement and living the values of a learning organisation.
Russell Baatjies, who was recently appointed Transnet Freight Rail Chief Executive, is a graduate of the BSc (Hons) Railway Operations Management Programme.
Figures show that 50% of graduate employees have progressed within the organisation, one secured promotion to Chief Engineer, and four are Executive Managers of South Africa’s key freight rail corridors.
Fiona Stewart-Knight, Assistant Vice-Principal Business Partnerships at Glasgow Caledonian, said: “I feel that this year is a watershed moment for Transnet, the Transnet Academy and this outstanding human capital project.
“In 2012, the partners all imagined that the progression of great people from within the business was possible through access to a railway-specific, portable, accredited qualification. We hoped that many employees would progress.
“The impact of this project is tangible and Transnet as an investor in its people is to be commended for such bold and distinctive vision.”
This international project is connected to Glasgow Caledonian’s work as a civic university.
As Scotland’s largest provider of Graduate Apprenticeships, the University delivers 11 industry programmes, in subjects ranging from cyber security, data science and software development to engineering design manufacture delivered to more than 360 employers in Scotland and more than 1,200 graduate apprentices.
