Page 53 - Gondwana Collection Namibia Value Creation Report 2021

HOW WE MAKE AN IMPACT

Talent management Age range of Gondwana employees Learning and development
Talent management encompasses all HR functions that are The proof of our success Most of Gondwana’s employees are between 20 and 39 years We are committed to continuous training, to train at least 70%
aimed at improving business performance, i.e. attraction, As of 31 October 2021, Gondwana employed old. The average age of a Gondwanian is 37. This is a time when of our workforce each year. The return on training investment is
recruitment, promotions, and talent development and retention. many people decide to start a family. We have a high rate of significant, easily outpacing new lodges or ventures. The Gondwana Hospitality Training and Leadership Academy (the Academy)
Gondwana believes that diversity makes us stronger and drives 944 people annual maternity leave and employees resigning due to family Due to Covid-19, all in-person Academy courses were cancelled. The Academy began in 2015 to provide a platform of growth for our people. The Academy empowers people to achieve their full potential
creativity and performance. We recruit people from various commitments. Gondwana did offer the Go4Gold programme to 12 deserving and has had an enormous impact on employees who haven’t received formal tertiary or secondary education. Employees can prepare
backgrounds – our employees mirror the country's cultural (2020: 1 061) We support our employees through a policy that allows female employees. We made the most of technology to continue with for management positions or simply become their best in their current positions. More than 30% of 2015’s first trainees are now in senior
the online training.
diversity. We aim to continuously improve the quality of and we estimate that about 50 new positions will be employees’ children to live at the lodges with childminders positions, including collection managers.
leadership and management, enhance productivity and service created in 2022; more than 100 positions will be filled. for their first two years. Gondwana carries the cost of food, Internal trainers mentored lodge teams to pass the Eco Awards
excellence, and foster an environment for optimal employee accommodation and transport to and from the lodge for Covid-19 audit successfully. This also promoted our readiness to Besides focusing on growing the company and offering Gondwana’s exceptional service, we also educate employees about Gondwana’s 16
engagement and efficiency. With the acquisition and development of each lodge childminders, and employees pay them a monthly salary. receive guests during the pandemic. values. Read more about the Gondwana Way on page 13.
and business, we offer quality employment to a growing The Learning Team invests time and resources with various
In 2021, we coordinated the cross-training and upskilling of number of Namibians each year. Courses offered:
employees in all departments. This allowed employees to take Age range of Gondwana employees partners to diversify employees' technical skills training,
e-learning, self-study, and personal growth. These need to
up additional roles when required. We coordinated the national Employee retention rate be affordable solutions that allow for continual personal
rotation of employees to ensure that operational standards were development. Creating learning and skills development
maintained at every lodge and that guest service never suffered. 88.97% 227 19 – 29 opportunities motivates employees in challenging times.
While general recruitment remains frozen, we accepted new This includes the introduction of LobsterInk, a platform that provides
applications, reference checked potential candidates and 2020: 86.42% training for the hospitality industry. In 2021, we struck a deal with HR administration online courses Cooking
conducted initial interviews to build a database of candidates. We aim to uphold an annual average retention rate of 405 30 – 39 LobsterInk to access four modules for 12 months at no cost to Go4Gold management
Gondwana. This will allow us to implement, test and study this
A formalised talent management strategy between platform. The Learning Team will roll out the programme in 2022. Service and bar development
The development and implementation of a formalised talent 222 40 – 49 Courses offered throughout the year Lodge management SAGE Guest relations
online courses
management strategy was put on the back burner. Our focus 80% and 85%.
shifted to preserving employment and company resources and 80 50 – 59 ○ Go4Gold, our 12-month management and leadership Occupational health
supporting all employees and operations to adapt to Covid-19 programme for 12 selected participants. Every two months, the and safety training Housekeeping
protocols. 10 60+ group met for five working days on intensive course content
Race ○ As a continued support initiative, the Go4Gold facilitation
We coached and mentored our remote teams to work team continued to provide coaching to the 2019 and 2020 Gondwana disciplinary approach Maintenance
smarter, not harder. The Talent Team explored various talent Go4Gold participants
management programmes to integrate with our current 864 Previously disadvantaged ○ A refresher of our INNkeeper system, including updates, was The GO1000 Development
systems. This will be pursued once finances allow. offered to guest relations teams Food and beverage workshop programme for senior managers
Employee profile by job category – 2021 ○ The People Team hosted a virtual five-week disciplinary
course over Microsoft Teams to guide management teams Values and business ethics with Covid-19 training
Namibia2Go, Gondwana Travel
through the various steps in our disciplinary process. This
80 Previously advantaged 4 Executive directors included a refresher on our Code of Conduct, investigative Centre and external tour guides
steps and techniques, and how to prepare and execute a fair People Team management course Gondwana’s 10-day
leadership programme
41 Senior management and successful disciplinary process Guiding education
○ Environmental management and awareness training was provided INNkeeper and Tourplan training
40 Middle management
Gender Nationality
124 Specialised/skilled/senior supervisory
503 Female 930 Namibian
226 Skilled

441 Male 14 Non-Namibian 509 Semi-skilled

48 VALUE CREATION REPORT 2021 GONDWANA COLLECTION NAMIBIA 49