1. SEIFSA Represents the Metals and Engineering Industries
When looking for a training provider, researching a training provider’s track record is smart business practice. Primarily, there are two things to consider:
- For how long has this company been training?
- Have they worked with a company such as yours in the past?
As a Federation, SEIFSA has represented the metals and engineering sector since 1943. SEIFSA has pushed for the industry’s best interests since for more than 75 years.
Today, SEIFSA is a Federation comprising 21 affiliated Employer Associations consisting of over 1200 companies in the metals and engineering cluster of industries. Companies range in size from gargantuan to small and micro businesses employing 10 employees all the way up to thousands.
SEIFSA’s core mandate from year to year is to collect mandates from all of the federated member Associations. These mandates are a compilation of the thoughts and ideas of people from the sector who deal with the day-to-day realities of running companies. Industrial relations, Skills Development, Tenders and Safety Legislation, among other things, are the main issues that challenge everyone in the sector – and SEIFSA provides a one-stop shop for industry solutions.
Our Federation’s goals are aligned with more than 10,000 companies that constitute the metals and engineering sector – its unique culture, concerns, day-to-day realities, future expectations and goals. Thus, we have a keener and more mature eye for what keeps businesses moving forward and competitive in the metals and engineering sector.
2. Positioning the Metals and Engineering Sector for Growth
The Main Agreement is perhaps by far the most prominent example of our desire for growth and working in partnership with all stakeholders. It is the metals and engineering industries’ industrial relations handbook or “playbook”.
As SEIFSA, we played one of the leading roles in the Main Agreement’s negotiation and implementation.
No other training provider can claim to have more knowledge about the Main Agreement than SEIFSA. At its core, this Agreement is meant to bring about stability, reduce the chances of strikes and ensure smoother operations on a day-to-day basis for many companies.
It is the sector’s select version of dealing with challenges that cause disruption to companies. It gives way to wage-paying grades and working systems that allow companies to operate on a level playing field in the sector. We offer training on aspects directly connected thereto in order to help companies achieve maximum results in their daily operations (Link to Training Courses).
Another unique training product is SEIFSA’s “Theory and Calculation of Cost Price Adjustment”. This course is run by the Economics and Commercial Division as a support programme for SEIFSA’s Price and Index Pages (PIPS). These two powerful products give companies the edge when competing for Tenders. A company has a considerably reduced chance if it applies for a tender without using the SEIFSA PIPS.
3. Personal Touch: Unique and Customisable
A question that should be asked when sourcing a training provider is: Is the content they provide customized, generic or “off the shelf”?
Why?
Context matters just as much as content.
When SEIFSA trains people, we are aware of who is in the room; we are aware of their needs; and we can be relied upon to provide further assistance. The SEIFSA team has the experience and expertise to consolidate with one-on-one consultations or in-house training for large groups within a particular company.
This is how SEIFSA demonstrates relevance and an in-depth knowledge through our various subject-matter experts and four Divisions, namely:
- Industrial Relations and Legal Services;
- Human Capital and Skills Development;
- Economics and Commercial; and
- Safety, Health, Environment and Quality.
Training is a massively beneficial tool for an organisation’s workforce, but it can be a major disappointment when willing participants think or realise that the trainer demonstrates a lack of knowledge or buy-in with regards to the sector. In these instances, people are bound to be disengaged with the content and disregard both the trainer and his/her knowledge altogether.
Our team of trainers and consultants – including our Alliance Partners – consists of experts that have operated in the industry and provided training for decades.
SEIFSA takes this aspect very seriously and is committed to a great trainee experience. We ask for feedback from companies we train, at our offices or in-house, and run a professional feedback service that help us to improve our service constantly.
4. Accreditation
In March 2019, SEIFSA received renewal of its accreditation as a Skills Development Provider and Assessment Centre. SEIFSA has accreditation under four Qualification Titles under the Further Education and Training (FETC) Certification Programme:
- FETC – Generic Management:
- FETC – Inventory Control,
- FETC – Manufacturing Control,
- FETC – Planning and Scheduling Techniques and Process Manufacturing.
SEIFSA Training has become “the tip of the arrow” and its courses offer the required stamp of approval.
5. Follow-up, Guidance and Career Assistance
Learning is not an event. We know it is part of your journey. SEIFSA Training is designed to make you and the company you represent better.
Our system:
- Helps trainees assess whether they are ready to apply what they have learned;
- Gives you evidence, proving to you and your business that you have improved your capabilities in a key area of your business;
- Gives you a clear way to proceed if information demonstrates what you need to improve upon in your business environment;
- Gives you guidance as to your progress with regards to policies and/or legislation that need your company’s compliance; and
Leverages your recognition of prior learning (RPL) to enhance your career path.