Executive summary

This report provides ADvTECH’s stakeholders with an overview of the Group’s management of sustainability issues. In reading this report it also becomes evident that transformation is inherent in ADvTECH’s business model, as highlighted by the role played by the Group in the education and placement of thousands of historically disadvantaged individuals (HDIs).

This report emphasises key areas and initiatives considered especially important for the Group as a South African entity. These are the following:

• the sustained economic value ADvTECH has created for all its stakeholders
• the Group’s continued progress in transformation under the guidance of the Board Transformation Committee (BTC). The BTC reviews the Group’s progress on the pillars of transformation: employment equity, black equity ownership and management control, training and development, BEE procurement, enterprise development and corporate social investment (CSI)
• the range of initiatives undertaken by ADvTECH to engage effectively in dialogue to improve relationships with stakeholders throughout the Group
• the staff recruitment and retention strategies integral to the Group as discussed in detail later in the report. These focus on fair employment conditions, competitive remuneration, appropriate work challenges, a high performance culture and learning opportunities for all staff. ADvTECH continues to place significant emphasis on skills development, with employees from previously disadvantaged backgrounds being given preferential participation in skills development initiatives offered by the Group
• the management of ADvTECH’s impact on the environment and the communities within which it operates. This includes consistently monitoring and reducing negative effects where possible
• the management of risk within the business, and
• ADvTECH’s sound corporate governance practices. The Group adheres in all material respects to King II (2002), which sets the framework for corporate governance in South Africa with guidelines regarding financial risk management, financial performance, remuneration and audit committees, sustainability reporting, stakeholder interest, strategy development, the balance of power and the role of directors within the enterprise and society at large. The Group has also assessed its standing in relation to the provisions of King III (2009). Preliminary results are set out in the table found on page 71 in the PDF download.

Click here to read the full sustainability report. 826kb (PDF)