At Rennies BCD Travel, our leadership philosophy mirrors our perspective on travel – it has a global, future-oriented outlook. We see sustainability as a concept that transcends beyond the conventional. It’s not just about responsible travel and fuel efficiency, but it extends to envisioning the larger framework and strategising for what lies ahead.

The travel industry experienced a seismic shift with the onslaught of the Covid pandemic, much like an unexpected tsunami, altering the landscape permanently, along with our worldview. The abrupt depletion of resources and the ensuing skills gap necessitated a pivotal shift in perspective. As the industry gradually regained its footing, our attention pivoted towards fortifying our skills reservoir and revolutionising our top-tier management into a more resilient structure capable of withstanding even the harshest of storms.

The way we see it, our future is not just about navigating the inevitable challenges that come our way but about harnessing these moments as opportunities for growth and reinvention. Like in travel, our leadership is about exploring new paths and evolving for a better, sustainable tomorrow.

In our ongoing commitment to cultivating tomorrow’s leaders, we’ve taken a firm interest in reinforcing our Learnership and Graduate Programmes. This is part of our proactive approach to usher in a fresh wave of talent into our business operations.

One significant initiative we’ve implemented is the Upliftment Learnership Programme. This program is integral to our youth empowerment efforts and is firmly anchored in our B-BBEE Scorecard principles. Over the years, we’ve administered this program, accruing many inspiring success stories.

• Learnership Programme: We’re proud to have ten dynamic individuals participating in our Learnership Programme currently. We aspire to transition all these proactive learners into full-time roles at the completion of their learnership tenure.
  
  This program is primarily geared towards equipping learners with hands-on workplace exposure, supplemented by a 12-month Certification. Research underscores the fact that graduates who have accumulated a minimum of 12 months work experience are more likely to secure enduring employment.

• Management Development Programme: We’ve handpicked five high-performing professionals to take part in our Management Development Programme (MDP). This initiative is designed to smoothen their transition into management roles and equip them with the vital skills a management position demands.

• BidTravel Skills Programme: Currently, sixteen ambitious junior and intermediate travel consultants are being nurtured under the BidTravel Skills Programme.

• Bursaries: We support life-long learning of our existing team through our Bursary Programme. These bursaries are targeted at various institutions and will help our employees broaden their expertise within their respective business realms.

As part of our broader mission to guide and mould young professionals, we’ve developed a unique strategy within our learnership program. High school graduates undergo a blend of practical training and theoretical learning through our SETA accredited curriculum.

These learners benefit from a monthly stipend while simultaneously being rotated through each department in our organisation. This hands-on approach is supplemented by on-site corporate training sessions. The goal is to arm them with the right skills, introduce them to our business processes, and immerse them in the intricate tapestry of business etiquette. This immersive experience is something they wouldn’t necessarily get from a traditional learning institute.

After a rewarding year of apprenticeship, learners undergo final assessments and exams designed to earn them their business and travel certification. Successful candidates, upon passing these exams, are then employed, and strategically positioned within a department that best suits their skillset and interests. Maintaining our proactive approach to youth development, our ultimate objective is to ensure that all learners find a home in our organisation after their learnership period concludes.

The integration of this comprehensive learnership program, alongside our Management Development Programme, BidTravel Skills Programme, and Bursaries, reflects our commitment to cultivating a future workforce that’s not only skilled but also diverse and dynamic. It’s a testament to our devotion towards our employees and the development of their careers.