In 2007 Well Pict European sent a number of UK employees over to South Africa to assist in the transfer of knowledge and to improve Well Pict European South Africas’ ability to produce export quality fruit. It worked well, with the largest volume of export fruit being sent in 2007. However, the Well Pict European team thought that actually immersing some of the South African team in full scale production in the UK would have a deeper impact on their understand and be a real motivator. So, in early in 2008, 15 key members of WPE South Africa came to the UK on Well Pict European first ever international exchange programme.        

The 14 women and 1 man who all live in the local township embarked on the trip of a lifetime. Many had never been to Cape Town, let alone traveling to the UK. For all of them it was their first time on a plane.

Over 10 weeks the group took part in a programme developed by Well Pict European, which covered all aspects of strawberry and raspberry production, with a key focus on harvesting, they also experienced training in planting and packhouse operations. WPE South Africas MD Chris Charter, said ‘ the general increase in productivity and improved attitude towards harvesting has been immeasurable’. As part of the programme the group gave written accounts of their learnings as well as workshops held during the 10 weeks, it wasn’t all berries, berries, berries. The Well Pict European team made sure that the group had a positive cultural experience as well, with weekly trips organized throughout the programme, these included simple delights such as a Sunday roast at a local pub, to a day trip to London where they cruised down the Thames and visited Buckingham Palace. The programme also made sure that the group interacted with the seasonal and permanent workers at the Well Pict European Farms, including Eastern European workers, great friendships were forged and there was even a singing contest between the South Africans and Romanians at a leaving farewell? BBQ.

The project was a huge success and already since the teams return to South Africa export volumes have increased significantly against 2007, and in general the motivation and performance on a day-to-day level at WPE South Africa have improved greatly.

Well Pict European South Africa has always promoted development and empowerment of its workers, and there is no better example of this than Philani Dlamini, who was promoted to Harvesting Manager in training this year. Philiani started out working on a 3ha block of strawberries about 4 years ago, his work ethic and general interest in the business led to him being appointed in this new role, after a progressive rising up the ranks. To best equip him for the job, he visited both Well Pict European in the UK and Portugal over 2008 to shadow the harvesting managers during their peak harvesting periods. He has returned to South Africa enthusiastic and full of new ideas, which are proving beneficial to Well Pict European South Africa as 2008 is turning out to be their best year to date.