First-of-its-kind public transport skills development programme launched

In recognition of the need for highly specialised skills to ensure the success of the Rustenburg Rapid Transport (RRT) project, the Transport Rustenburg Incubation Programme (TRIP) has been launched for local graduates to receive mentorship and formal training that will enable them to actively manage the future RRT system.

“BRT [bus rapid transit] systems are new to South Africa, and the TRIP training curriculum is therefore specifically designed to enable the graduates to play a productive role in the management and operations of the RRT from first day of their employment by the Rustenburg Local Municipality,” said Dr Johan Bosman, who is spearheading the programme.

The RRT project has been hailed by Councillor Mpho Khunou, executive mayor of Rustenburg, for being “more than just a transport venture, but a transformation project.”

One of the leading components of transformation is skills development; and through TRIP, it is an area that the RRT is now addressing.

The incubation project is believed to be the first of its kind to be attached to any of the public transport projects being developed in South Africa, and the successful conclusion of this project could see it being used as a model for similar projects in transport infrastructure and systems development around the country.

“If the TRIP programme can be implemented successfully in Rustenburg, it can be rolled out to other areas of the country, or the concept could be adapted for application to other skills transfer programmes,” said Dr Bosman. “The Department of Transport has already expressed interest in the concept, should it be successful.”

TRIP selected six candidates between the ages of 18 and 30 with tertiary degrees to participate in the training project.

“The TRIP programme will provide on-the-job training and mentorship to local graduates during the full three-year period of the design and implementation of the Rustenburg Rapid Transport system,” stated Dr Bosman.

He has been selected to head up the programme, given his intimate understanding of the transport industry and on account that he has managed numerous transport projects in his 40-year career. He has spent 18 years in the public sector, 22 years in the private sector and served for six years as a part-time professor in Transportation Engineering at the University of Johannesburg.

RRT advertised for applicants in the local newspapers, and recruited on the North West University campus.

Local government will be actively involved in the selection process, and municipal officials will attend the evaluations sessions when the TRIP trainees report back on their progress at the end of each module. The successful applicants began their training on 1 November 2011.

By 2015, when the RRT is expected to be providing public transport to Rustenburg, they will have the opportunity to be among the productive people managing effective service delivery to the people of the city. Those who successfully complete the training will be recommended for employment by the Rustenburg Municipality, and required to commit to work there for a minimum of three years.

“Through the TRIP incubation programme, we are laying the foundations for the future human resources of the RRT, at the same time as we are laying the physical foundations for the transport network,” said Councillor Khunou.

“It’s a unique programme, designed to build specialised talent from the ground up to drive effective service delivery from the municipality in provision of a world-class public transport network. We look forward to witnessing the future successes of the trainees.”

www.rustenburg.gov.za