Afrimat is committed to empowering employees to perform better in their current positions and to ensure that they are equipped with the technical, administrative, workplace experience and management skills for promotion and career path development. The group prioritises ongoing training in order to raise standards of performance and productivity, offering internal training and using external accredited service providers to facilitate continuous development of its skills-base. In this way Afrimat accelerates the advancement and promotion of personnel, particularly black candidates. It also addresses induction of new employees, satisfaction of personal job growth, avoidance of managerial obsolescence and solving any organisational problems that may arise.

During 2009 a total of 199 employees benefited from internal and external training, of which 72% were black. Courses ranged from Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) through university degrees to computer literacy and technical, supervisory and management skills. They also included operational and safety training as well as administrative skills development. Of the Readymix division's annual payroll, 5% goes toward developing skills as part of the Workplace Skills Plan. This includes internal training, off-the-job training, tertiary education training, learnerships and mentoring.

In March and April 2011, ABET assessment was performed after which 273 employees was sent on an Afrimat concrete products training course. A further 17 employees received coaching and mentoring by artisan and workshop managers during 2011. Several mid-level managers were identified to study for an MBA or Project Management at the Universities of Stellenbosch or Pretoria during the year.

In line with succession planning candidates have been identified and are receiving personal mentorship in furthering their formal education and operational knowledge, particularly in the areas of mechanical and civil engineering. Managing Directors are mentoring four black candidates who have been appointed as Trainee/Assistant Managers as part of two to three year development programmes. Further two black candidates are currently being developed as accountants, one in HR and the other a transport manager.

Afrimat as a group is in the process to perform a job classification on each employee in line with the OFO Classification. These aspects will be the focus and guideline of career progression programmes. This will enable Afrimat to address three criteria of job classification:

• Qualification;
• Skills requirement; and
• Workplace experience.