Good partnerships equals good business

The White Paper (DHET, 2014) recognises the importance of partnerships. Particularly, those between educational institutions and employers.

Partnerships capitalise on the resources of both the private and public sector as drivers for deepening and transforming the entire post-school system. The White Paper supports the DHET in pursuing more effectively, the goals of inclusive economic growth and development. Partnerships contribute fundamentally to reducing unemployment and poverty in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the New Growth Path (NGP), the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP) and the Human Development Strategy for South Africa. Source: TVET Colleges Technical Task Team Final Report 2014.

It’s not just about getting the student in the door. It’s about giving the graduating student the best chance at finding gainful employment once they complete their studies. In the case of self-employment, it is a matter of providing the young entrepreneur with market linkages and support to ensure business sustainability. False Bay TVET College recognises the value of growing partnerships between the public and private sector. Likewise, public and private sector industries are starting to see the benefits of partnering with TVET Colleges. In doing so, they are able to bridge the gap in the market of demand for- and the supply of, readily available talent developed by the TVET Colleges.

With this in mind, the Innovation and Development Department, comprising of Linkages and Partnerships, Work Integrated Learning (WiL) and the Centre for Entrepreneurship Development, embarked on a 360-degree strategy. The strategy was centred on initiatives to acknowledge and engage College industry partners.

The three units consequently launched the following:

Career and Internship Fair October 2017: Co-ordinated by the WiL Department

This event took place across all five campuses of the College. Informed by the Campus programme offerings, suitable companies were invited to engage with exit level students in a ‘speed-dating’ style. The five-day exercise saw a total of 42 host employers, engage with an estimated 586 students. Jaco van den Heever of Melomed said, “We were spoilt for choice in terms of the number of potential candidates who could take up internship opportunities as soon as January 2018”.

Thalia Southgate of De Beers Marine receives the Certificate of Partnership from Principal Cassie Kruger and College Council Chairperson Ms Zoliswa Lonja

Anneke Roodman, of the Department of the Premier’s office, also indicated that they were impressed with the level of the Public Management candidates that had been trained at the Fish Hoek Campus.

Preggy Moonsamy of Netcare, said that they were impressed with the training facilities of the Westlake Campus and that they saw an opportunity for their own staff to be trained and up-skilled. “It is through shared experiences and understanding of the sector, that a collaborative approach to new trends and training developments can be lobbied.

Resulting in a better qualified student being shaped by a current facilitator and curriculum. Above and beyond student placement, the College is looking at ways for employers to up-skill and re-invest in the existing workforce. Through student placements, deserving permanent members of staff could be relieved to participate in training opportunities.

This could in turn improve staff retention and job satisfaction rates. It could also create business marketing opportunities, as well as raise the business profile as a preferred employer,” said WiL Manager Faikah Boltman.

Networking for Entrepreneurs: Co-ordinated by Centre for Entrepreneurship/Rapid Incubator

The Centre for Entrepreneurship/Rapid Incubator (CfE/RI), hosted an intimate cocktail evening. The purpose of the evening was to introduce external industry and business to the work of the Centre and more importantly, expose its Beneficiaries to these external stakeholders. One of the key functions of the Centre, is that of Market Linkages. It is imperative that aspiring entrepreneurs build their business ideas and model with a real market in mind.

Consequently, the CfE/RI introduced Beneficiaries to such markets through as many marketing opportunities. The event hosted ten businesses with possible linkages in mind. The value and purpose offered to those businesses attending were, possible Enterprise and Supplier development linkages where investment in the Centre could be leveraged and recognised within its BBBEE codes.

Qualifying Beneficiaries could step up from enterprise development to supplier development and plug in to the supply chain of the Company. The Centre could also act as a hub where vexing problems within the Company may be offered bespoke solutions through the creativity of the Centre’s Beneficiaries.

Additional value was also added through the presence of the College’s WIL and Partnerships functions. On the evening, four Beneficiaries presented themselves and their businesses to the audience. Consequently, two of the CfE/RI Beneficiaries were given media opportunities to share their story on a local community radio station. This was well received by its audience. It is in building the ability to present oneself and one’s product, that the connection with external parties is strengthened.

False Bay TVET College has five campuses situated in the Southern Peninsula and offers programmes in a wide variety of study fields including Business, Engineering, Hospitality, Educare and Information Communication Technology.

Business Breakfast: Co-ordinated by the Linkages and Partnership Department False Bay TVET College hosted a Business Breakfast in October. The value of Public-Private partnerships for student employability, business growth and development in the Western Cape, was the central focus.

By Colleen Brennon, Faikah Boltman and Steve Reid

Source TVET College Times