“You can only be successful, if you make others successful.” This Gondwana Value is the core mission of the Learning and Development Team, a team that continuously aims to implement innovative strategies and training initiatives to develop Gondwana employees' skills. Below are the training efforts during the last quarter of 2024.
Snake Training
The snake training was conducted by Francois and Kerstin Theart, Herpetologists, at Canyon and Zambezi Collection properties in November 2024. The course comprised intensive snake handling with species such as the puff adder, zebra snake, and Anchit or Angolan cobra, sourced from snake removals in Windhoek. The training helps equip the Gondwana teams with practical skills and knowledge in snakebite first aid, snake awareness, and conservation.
Iyalago Food Assurance Consultancy Training Initiatives
Iyalago Food Assurance Consultants, a female-led Namibian company based in Walvis Bay, provides expertise in food safety. The IFAC team assists food businesses in implementing food safety systems and offers bespoke two-day workshops covering food safety handling, customer care in food establishments, sanitisation techniques, allergen management, and hygiene practices. After a pilot programme in 2023 at selected Gondwana properties, the IFAC team continued their engagements at various properties in 2024. Their training approach is adaptable to the unique operations of each property, incorporating different practical exercises as well as self-learning opportunities. After initial face-to-face workshops, participants complete refresher courses online. Teams from Canyon Collection, Namib Desert Collection, The Weinberg Windhoek, Okapuka Safari Lodge, The Delight Swakopmund, and Damara Mopane Lodge participated in these workshops throughout 2024.
Recognition of Prior Learning Achievements
The team at Palmwag Lodge & Camp has diligently worked on their Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) portfolios with mentorship from the Namibia Training Authority's assessment (NTA) teams. Applicants to the RPL programme must have three years of experience for Level 2 or five years or more for Level 3 qualifications. Notable achievements include Nicolene van Rooyen, Lodge Manager, who passed her assessments for Housekeeping Level 3; Rodney So-Ôabeb, Head Guide, who attained his Local Guide Level 3 national qualification after years of training with the Namibia Academy for Tourism and Hospitality; and Leseline Kenare and Nero Namwandi, who received Level 3 qualifications in Food & Beverage. Victoria Petrus and Christa Tsuses also achieved Office Administration Level 2 through RPL with assistance from Cosdec Opuwo.
Local Guide Qualification Course
In November 2024, eleven employees from Gondwana Collection Namibia commenced upskilling through the Namibia Academy for Tourism and Hospitality (NATH) in the Local Guide Apprenticeship Level 3 Qualification programme. Under the guidance of Mrs. Hazel Milne, senior facilitator at NATH, participants engaged in workshops focusing on English communication and environmental sustainability. This programme aims to equip junior guides over 24 months. Candidates ideally enter with a driver’s licence; some participants transitioned from roles such as Guest Relations and Bartending to enhance their guiding skills.
Compliance Training
The Canyon Collection took part in compliance training in October 2024. Team members from different departments participated in Fire Training, First Aid Training, Safety Health and Environmental (SHE) sessions. The vibrant trainers McZine Baardt and Justine Nghwada led these sessions.
Furthermore, in a commitment to compliance and employee safety at the Windhoek Offices and New Namibia2Go Airport Office, training sessions focused on First Aid and Basic Industrial Firefighting were conducted at EMT offices in Southern Industries. A total of 17 employees participated in a First Aid course that provided practical skills for managing emergencies effectively. Moreover, nine employees completed a one-day accredited Basic Industrial Firefighting course by the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation.
These training initiatives are part of a broader strategy to improve workplace safety and emergency preparedness across various locations. Employees have praised the practical approach taken during these sessions as it reinforced their learning through hands-on exercises.
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