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The development of Learning and Development

By Gerrit Rautenbach

 

Johann
Johann Engelbrecht
Joy (1)
Joy van Biljon

Johann Engelbrecht, a skills development guru in agriculture, has been the Skills Planning Manager of the AgriSETA as well as Chief Operating Officer, amongst a host of other achievements. With Anton Rabe also being on the board of the AgriSETA, they got together and developed a plan to take human development in the horticulture industry forward in a structured manner.

At the same time, Johann also served on the advisory committee of the Koue Bokkeveld Opleidingsentrum, where stalwart Joy van Biljon was then CEO. “At that stage,” remembers Joy, “it made sense that Hortgro wanted to conduct research regarding its role in learning and development in the industry. We all saw what Citrus Academy had achieved on behalf of the citrus industry. I believe it was an inspiration to Hortgro,” she explains.

In 2021, Hortgro agreed with AgriSETA to implement a specific human development and learning programme on a coordinated basis in the deciduous fruit industry. Whilst the agreement focused on funding from the AgriSETA to engage in specific learning interventions, one of the other objectives of this project was to consider the establishment of the learning and development division within Hortgro (Hortgro L&D). Such a division aimed to holistically and comprehensively address skills and human development of young leaders within the industry, supporting inclusive growth and development in the industry with a value chain approach.

“This was the trigger, hence the reason why Anton asked us to get involved, and the reason why I wanted to get involved,” Johann concludes.

In February 2022, a research assignment on the feasibility of establishing a learning and development unit in Hortgro was concluded, and the Hortgro L&D was established. Having had a solid and well-researched basis, the Hortgro L&D has gone from strength to strength since its establishment.


Today, Astrid Arendse, part of the human resources division at Hortgro, manages, amongst other tasks, the Learning and Development Division, offering several programmes. One is the Hortgro bursary program for undergraduates. At present, there are a host of students from different Universities, Technikons and TVET colleges, studying in a variety of agricultural directions. Another programme is the Intern-mentorship program for graduates and students, who need to complete the practical part of their qualifications, that addresses the huge gap between the academic and working world. Hortgro L&D gets them out there where it matters – in permanent employment with an +80% success rate.

There is also the Leadership Development Programme for production managers in the agricultural sector. It was funded by the Agricultural Sector Education Training Authority (AgriSETA). The idea was sparked by realising that many production managers started as general workers and grew in the business and acquired skills and leadership abilities through working, and not always through formal training. “We developed a program whose outcome is an individual development plan focusing on specific strengths and development areas, and as such equipping the group with the knowledge and leadership skills required to strengthen their management skills,” Astrid explains.
In 2024, after the Hortgro L&D has been operational for some time, Johann and Joy were approached by Hortgro to reflect with Astrid, Elouise van Zyl and a few others on what has been achieved. Questions focused on: What is the status? Where is the project going, and where are the gaps that need to be addressed? “We had a great discussion about this in Ceres,” says Johann, “I introduced all the elements we advised on in the research report and solicited their feedback on that – the feedback was very positive and good alignment between the recommendations flowing from the research report and achievements to date was clear. We concluded our participation with a document labelled, Reflections on Hortgro Learning and Development.”

Hortgro L&D is well established, the report states, and feedback received indicates that there is clarity on what the focus should be. Hortgro L&D has come a long way in a short time in implementing the recommendations of the initial research. Hortgro L&D became actively involved in liaison and related matters. It engages well with the various departments within Hortgro and has a very positive working relationship with regional representatives. It engages well with AgriSETA as well as with farmers and related enterprises in search of placement opportunities for interns.

Along with Hortgro Economic Development, Hortgro L&D engaged in a Jobs Fund project to assist emerging farmers through business support initiatives and address the challenges faced by interns regarding transport and accommodation when placed in rural areas. This shows initiative on the side of Hortgro L&D, taking the initiative and moving beyond the initial recommendations of the research assignment.

Today, Hortgro L&D is well established. It is working well and making an impact, being capable of generating its energy, and moving forward. A great achievement in a short space of time. But when something needs to be done, the right people will come around and help to get it done. Hortgro L&D and the management of Hortgro take their hats off to Johann Engelbrecht, Joy van Biljon and all the like-minded people wanting to make a difference. We want to make our world of agriculture a better place. We all need to learn, we all need to develop. We all need teachers. We are in this together.

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