When you visit Bergzicht Training and Development, the first person to greet you at reception, is Front Office Support, Abigail Barnard. Later you’ll meet Francisca Swartz, Student Administration Support, who together with Abigail has become the calm in the storm for colleagues and beneficiaries, in particular on busy days when there are many pressing matters to deal with.
Fondly known by staff and beneficiaries as Abby and Fran, the two women have in the almost three years they have worked at Bergzicht Training and Development handled everything from student finance, funding administration, student registrations, office and supplier management, maintenance and groundskeeping, and other administrative support with regards to programme accreditation and student matters.
“They do all of this in a professional manner, but always with kindness, putting the interests and the needs of students above everything else,” says Adrian Bezuidenhout, Training Manager at Bergzicht Training and Development, and one of the staff members that work closely with the two.
“With Abby, it’s not so much what she does, but the manner in which she does it. From locking and unlocking buildings to student registration and career advice, it’s all done professionally and calmly,” he adds.
Of Fran, Bezuidenhout says: “She’s extremely committed to her job, has a strong work ethic and is known to pay close attention to detail, which is important in the role she fulfils as Training Admin Support. Fran also works with the facilitators to ensure students meet all the requirements to graduate.”
Bezuidenhout fondly jokes that Fran is also considered the memory bank at Bergzicht Training and Development as she can “remember every student that have studied here and the group they were in”.
“She’s very interested in the students’ wellbeing.”
Bezuidenhout adds: “They really showcase commitment, integrity, proactiveness, and a real can-do attitude. Nothing is too much trouble to ask and, while they are very accommodating persons, they are also both assertive and very clear about their boundaries. Without their input and support, our beneficiaries would really struggle.”
Abigail Barnard (left) and Francisca Swartz play a central role at Bergzicht Training and Development to ensure everything runs smoothly. (Lynne Rippenaar-Moses)
