AVBOB Integrated Annual Report 2018

management system is underway with the aim of winning the war on talent. We also continue to strive to employ people living with disabilities. Employer of choice As part of the Group’s ongoing effort to continuously position itself as an employer of choice and win the war on talent, it is critically important that we stay abreast of market practices by reinventing and positioning the Group as a market leader and pacesetter. As more employers face the challenge of acquiring talent for management and executive positions in a candidate driven market, it is becoming increasingly important for companies to distinguish themselves as employers of choice to attract top candidates. Research indicates that aggressive salary and benefit packages are no longer sufficient to attract and retain top talent, therefore employers have to develop unique human capital strategies to attract these candidates. It is for the above reason that the Group continues to participate in the Top Employer certification process. The Top Employers Institute (TEI) certifies employers for exceptional recognition for sound human capital practices. The rigorous nature of the certification methodology ensures the exclusive value of this distinction. The approach is that optimum conditions ensure that employees develop themselves personally and professionally. This in turn enables organisations to grow and to develop. The leading edge international research undertaken by the TEI determines whether an organisation meets the required standard for certification as a Top Employer. The TEI currently has over 1 000 participants in more than 100 countries globally. The pursuit of the Top Employer accolade with the establishment of Human Resources (HR) standards contributes to the value of HR within an organisation. Based on the official certification report issued by the Top Employer Institute, the Group was successfully certified in 2018 and 2019. As a certified Top Employer we continue to enhance our processes and keep abreast of new HR processes and practices. Skills development and talent management The Group recognises that there is a need to develop people to deliver superior performance and in doing so build a culture of excellence through learning. The objectives that underpin our skills development and talent management activities are to: • improve the skills and competencies of our people throughout the Group; • develop business acumen and competencies at management, regional and representative level; • develop and implement HR management practices to recruit, retain and deploy capable people to meet market demands; • develop a decision-making competence regarding products, market segments, price and customers for delivering products and services; • establish high quality client service in support of products and services; and • implement succession planning in critical areas. The Group annually submits its Workplace Skills Plan (WSP) and Annual Training Report (ATR) to the relevant sector authorities, which includes all training and development concluded for the year under review, as well as proposed targets and training for the following year. Skills development within the Group is seen as key in developing human capital capacity. The Group exceeded its 2017/2018 training target by over 100%. 44