Cold Link Africa January/February 2019 | Page 25

EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN Roderick Petersen (third from left) with Matie Annandale of Mercedes Benz to his right, with pupils from Simon’s Town High School at their sides. IT communication, baking, marketing, sales, transport, refrigeration, and vehicle repairs. A total of 37 businesses took part in the festival and they were just as excited as the pupils. For many, it was the first time that they actually told a wider audience as to what their job function is and how they had acquired their skills and their own career paths, said Van Hille. FutureMe was started in 2016 by Van Hille and Ursula Cooper, who wished to use their combined 30 years of strategic and HR consulting experience to help bridge the gap between pupils and business seeking young talent. Their passion to assist the high number of unemployed school leavers has been the driving force behind the success of FutureMe and was evident from the lively vibe at the Christel House festival. It was difficult to assess as to whom was more excited and had more energy — the employers or the pupils. What the employers had to offer was mind-blowing and all were keen to share it with the young talent and educators who had accompanied the pupils. The barrage of questions from the pupils certainly kept the employers on their toes. “Grain Carriers has a fleet of 600 vehicles, with its base in Randfontein and a large depot in Durbanville. Our expertise is in warehousing and logistics for a wide range of agricultural products. The career opportunities are extensive, and we are keen to get young talent with passion to follow a career path with us. Grain Carriers employ specialists in grain care, warehousing, and even a doctor to take care of the health of our large workforce,” explained Pierre Mostert. When a group of grade 10 pupils from Simon’s Town High School was asked why they had an interest in Mercedes Benz, they were quick to respond that it is a well-known brand with a high visibility. Mercedes Benz offers many career opportunities, starting in the East London assembly plant and following to marketing, sales, vehicle repairs, and HR in the dealerships around the country. Matie Annandale and Roderick Petersen of Mercedes Benz had the inquisitive pupils keener than ever in responding to A refrigerated GRW tri-axle semi-trailer with a Mercedes Benz truck tractor keep Spar outlets stocked with fresh perishables daily. The career opportunities at Grain Carriers are extensive; they attended to share these possibilities with the pupils. all the questions. Jireh Dairies of Riversdale showcased more than just dairy farming. The dairy, with a staff of 86, produce two tonnes of cheese daily, sold under their own brand name or packed for leading COLD LINK AFRICA • January/February 2019 retailers. For Food Lover’s Market, they pack 180–200 tonnes per month, was said by Henco Madson-Leibold. Continued on page 27 www.coldlinkafrica.co.za 25