The W&RSETA established the Wholesale and Retail Leadership Chair at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) 2012. The objective of the Retail Leadership Chair is to contribute towards research and the development of W&R qualifications from NQF 5 -10 through collaboration between the Sector, labour and institutions of higher learning. The collaboration between the key role players will ensure a pool with suitably qualified and experienced entrants for the Sector and that the skills levels of the current workforce are improved.
Bursaries have also been awarded to 7 post-graduate students who are enrolled in Masters and Doctoral studies with a specific focus on Retail. The Chair of Retail also provides support to the post-graduate students.
The Chair is currently facilitating international collaborative networks and exchange programmes in an attempt to determine best practice in research and in particular the provision of retail learning programmes. The project will be implemented over a three-year period at a cost of R 17,4m.
Stakeholder participation is of critical importance in this process and is encouraged. The SETA engages stakeholders to solicit input to the SSP through various forums including the regional structures and desktop research.