CPUT took advantage of the recent recess to complete a programme of induction for service colleagues.

927 Protection services, cleaning and gardening employees from all the campuses took part in workshops over four days to learn more about what it means to be a permanent staff member at the institution and how we all contribute to the success of CPUT.

“Today is a start of engaging you to build and enhance your contributions in building CPUT,” Shahieda Hendricks, Manager: Staff Development and Training told inductees as she welcomed them to the Sports Hall on the Bellville Campus.

Welcoming the service employees as colleagues Prof Anthony Staak, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, gave them context to the history of the institution and an introduction to the university’s vision-Vision 2020. He also emphasised our CPUT workplace values of integrity and accountability.

“We see ourselves making a contribution to the Western Cape, the nation and the continent so we actively seek partnerships throughout Africa to do that. It is a noble vision and all of us have a role to play.

“You have a critical role to play in ensuring that our environment is conducive to this work, that it is safe, secure and clean. For most of the students, and certainly the staff, this is our home away from home.

“We need to all be pushing in the same direction and we need to support each other because we are all part of one family at CPUT,” said Staak.

The workshops were about explaining the benefits and responsibilities of working at CPUT and while coordinators at the tables did their best to answer questions, further training sessions will be arranged on the various campuses once a training needs analysis has been completed.

Employment Relations Officer Colin Bezuidenhout of the Learning & Development Department (which is part of Human Capital) was on hand to talk about training possibilities and further study opportunities. He pointed out that CPUT has already started talking to SASSETA (Safety and Security Sector Education Training Authority) and the Services Seta to organise funding for learnerships.

Newly appointed Director of Campus Protection Services Gavin Solomons was also on hand to ask security staff how they wanted to be recognised by the rest of the campus and what they considered to be the benchmarks of their work. “You say you want to be the best. What must we put in place to get that right,” Solomons asked the staff who were energised by challenge.

Amanda Glaeser, Acting Head of Human Capital pointed out that the four unions also presented their philosophies to ensure staff members understood the various options available.

“We were happy to provide the session in three languages and the diversity competence of our campus was demonstrated as a rich and valuable way to work,” said Glaeser.

Written by Theresa Smith

INTRODUCTION: The induction workshop for service workers was an interactive affair.