Ready, AIM, work

Our company’s Port Terminals (TPT) department recently launched its flagship student exposure programme called AIM in KwaZulu-Natal. The intention of this programme is to give youth residing in South Africa’s port cities access to the world of operations, maritime logistics, and the blue economy. 

Real-world applications

Real value comes from applying things learnt in theory in real-world scenarios. This is why TPT’s AIM programme orientates students on our entire integrated supply value chain across all divisions. Students also has the opportunity to shadow business specialists to complete their daily duties. 

This is an approach that has been tried and tested in many practical application industries, making it a valuable learning method for students who don’t necessarily have the resources to visit a well-run port site. By assisting students to link theory with the practical environment, they get access to a platform to realise their true potential. 

All hands on deck

Tertiary students are invited to visit our TPT operations at the local port to get some hands-on experience with all the disciplines available in a port environment. This enables willing learners to make informed career choices, especially if they’re considering professions in the marine logistics sector. To make the programme even more accessible, it is strategically scheduled to run over tertiary holidays, which gives first- and second-year students a practical learning option that takes their busy schedules into consideration. 

Practicality and work-readiness are the main goals of AIM. For these reasons, AIM is focused on creating a work-readiness culture for the youth that live close to the ports. It is also more than a once-off opportunity, as they will be expected to return for a few days during the tertiary holidays until their courses are completed and they are ready to graduate.  

“The AIM initiative is about collaborating with the youth in providing future-proof solutions while giving them value in return. This is a group of technologically-savvy, modern-day, digitally aware young people that will assist us to evolve with the times,” says TPT’s Acting General Manager for Human Resources, Brenda Magqwaka.

 Boosting the blue economy

It is incredibly valuable for young people, especially those located in the port cities, to know where they come from and which types of jobs available in their communities Following their participation in the programme, the students said that their exposure to TPT’s operations was eye-opening and changed the way they viewed the business, which is something they could not have planned for or imagined. True to being technologically-savvy, these forward-thinking minds think it would be a great idea if TPT sets up a portal that would be a single point of application for students intending applying and completing their internship, so that this process is seamless.

 Because of the specialised and complex nature of the business, the students said that it would definitely assist them to spend more time being part of the AIM programme - for example, a week in lieu of a mere three days.  TPT has previously participated in several initiatives for females and males separately, but has decided to amalgamate the initiatives into all-encompassing programme. This allows for more specific attention to the emerging blue economy.