Credit Guarantee Insurance Corp is using Bryan Hattingh Quality Resources` (BHQR) skills measurement and development programs to upgrade the skills of its IT staff. Credit Guarantee has invested in Universal Candidate, TechCheck and Vizitek.
By using Universal Candidate, Credit Guarantee is ensuring its high skills standards are maintained. Universal Candidate comprises skills assessment systems, computer-based training courses (CBT) and "soft" skills, and needs analysis systems combined in a single offering.
"We have top skills, and exceptionally high standards, and we can keep on improving these," says Vivienne Naude, systems development manager at Credit Guarantee. "Using the Universal Candidate instead of conventional training is cost-effective and saves significant training time."
Credit Guarantee Insurance is a South African underwriting company operating in the field of credit insurance with an insured turnover last year of R52,4 billion. The company is owned by leading insurers, banks and financial institutions. Its major business is the insurance of domestic and export credit risks and the acceptance as reinsurers of credit, bond and guarantee risks underwritten by South African and foreign insurance companies.
Credit Guarantee has an annual renewable contract with BHQR for Universal Candidate. Currently 20 IT staff are receiving training in Natural Adabas. Naude points out that Credit Guarantee has been a long-standing TeckCheck client. TeckCheck is a computer-based system that measures the realtime proficiency of IT professionals.
Information garnered is then run through Vizitek, BHQR`s IT skills management system which links HR, training and management.
Vizitek generates training plans which point staff to their required CBT training. "Vizitek provides performance and training profiles on the skill levels of specific departments or people. In addition, it generates targeted training curricula for each person, thus enhancing the effectiveness of training while reducing cost," says Naude.
"We use TeckCheck for recruitment and for benchmarking. It gives us valuable information as to staff`s Natural Adabas capabilities, it establishes their weaknesses and strengths, and it assists with decision-making." All Credit Guarantee`s application systems are developed and maintained in Natural Adabas and the courses increase staff proficiency in these programming languages.
"Staff receive CBT training in Natural Adabas to hone in on areas of weaknesses - to help them achieve their full potential," Naude says. "CBT training which staff perform for one hour a day at their own convenience at work is more cost-effective than being trained out of the office. We have made this training available to our contractors as well, since it is valuable as a refresher course."
Andrew Stark, BHQR manager, says: "Universal Candidate embraces the concept of developing the IT professional on technical, behavioural skill and management levels. This holistic approach develops the individual, identifies further potential and presents a long-term career path." _
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