TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT
Setting the standard for earthmoving proficiency Barloworld Equipment’s PJB Learning Academy in Isando, Ekurhuleni, is a well-established and reputable learning institution. It focuses on the delivery of various competencies in engineering, mining and construction through OEM-certified, competent and experienced facilitators using the latest technologies. IMIESA speaks to Dumisani Kala, Head: Academy, about current programmes.
centres in Johannesburg, which are also home to Barloworld Equipment's PJB Learning Academy and its Technical Operator School of Excellence. The latter play a crucial role in ensuring a pipeline of newly qualified technicians and operators. The Academy was established in 2009 and offers a variety of courses. These range from semi-skilled workforce competencies to courses for apprentices, artisans, engineers, logistics and supply chain specialists, right through to super visor y and leadership development competencies. However, the Academy has a primar y responsibility to develop and enhance key technical, maintenance and engineering competencies that are critical to sustain both Barloworld Equipment’s and its clients’ capabilities. The Academy boasts an impressive external/private client base in South Africa, as well as across its Southern African dealer footprint.
overing a key por tion of Southern Africa, Barloworld Equipment is Caterpillar Inc.’s sole dealer for Cat earthmoving machines and related mining and construction equipment in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland and Zambia, as well as the DRC’s Katanga province (in a joint venture with Bartrac). Parts and ser vices are provided within the regions and supported via Barloworld Equipment’s and Caterpillar’s logistics
Certification and accreditation
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The Academy is quality and safety compliant in terms of ISO 9001:2015 and OHSAS 18001:2007, and has Five Star Monitoring Condition Certification. The PJB Learning Academy is also the third Academy in the Caterpillar world to achieve the highest level of excellence in terms of Caterpillar Technician Career Development Process Accreditation. The Academy is accredited with MerSETA, the Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA), and the Transport SETA
(TETA) for all applicable trades and occupations, and with the Qualifications Council for Trades and Occupations for Earthmoving Equipment. In addition to apprenticeship programmes, advanced and expert-level training is provided via Caterpillar’s Technician Career Development Programmes across all Caterpillar OEM brands, which include Perkins engines and SEM earthmoving machines. Thanks to the multifaceted nature of the courses offered at the Academy, training is provided at ever y point along the value chain. For example, learners can qualify as earthmoving technicians, auto electricians, machinists, technology specialists, or operators. “All the material in use by Barloworld Equipment for all the mining/construction machines is vetted by Caterpillar and, where supplied, the material is adapted by the Academy to suit the needs of Barloworld employees and customers,” Kala explains. Apprenticeship training is based on the three legs of occupational training, namely institutional (theoretical and practical training),
