The W&RSETA has partnered with its stakeholder companies, the Durban University of Technology, and four Technical, Vocational Education and Training Colleges in KwaZulu Natal to establish Retail Schools of Excellence. The objective of the project, inter alia, is to ensure that institutions of learning produce suitably qualified and experienced students to meet the demands of business for the growth and prosperity of the Sector and the Country.
R 7m has been allocated to this initiative, which is the first of its kind in the Sector. Components of the project include infrastructure improvement in the colleges, development of qualifications from NQF levels 3 - 5, lecturer capacitation, and selection and recruitment of the students.
500 learners, comprising of 250 employed and 250 unemployed, have been enrolled at the Majuba, Thekwini, Esayidi and Mthashana TVET Colleges and the Durban University of Technology. The learners placed at the TVET Colleges are enrolled on an NQF level 2 learnership programme and some of them will progress to NQF level 4 and 5 programmes that are currently being developed by the DUT. The learnership component of this project is funded with a budget of R 14,5m.
This project is also the SETA's comprehensive approach to establish presence in and collaborate with TVET colleges and the rural communities of our country, which is one of the Minister's priorities. The project also addresses articulation between the TVET and higher learning systems.