Education and training

Tshwane University of Technology now offers asset maintenance.

The Tshwane Institute for Continuing Education (TICE), a subsidiary of Tshwane University of Technology Enterprise Holdings (TUTEH), has signed a partnership with Optimal Assets Maintenance Solutions, a physical asset management engineering and consultancy company.

The partnership will create short learning programmes in asset maintenance and research projects will be undertaken together. TICE offers skills development, continuing education and professional development through research.

TUTEH, a wholly-owned company of the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), exists to generate and grow additional streams of income for the university, separate from government subsidies, student fees, donations and bequests.

In response to demand for a more skilled workforce, the Provincial Government of Gauteng has promised by 2025 to establish in every district at least two schools of specialisation linked to the 10 high-growth sectors that have been identified. Public libraries and community centres will become places where online courses in artisan and digital skills will be readily available.

A focus on water and energy underpins the newly-established Knowledge Pele Academy in Kramerville, Johannesburg. Independent power producer Pele Green Energy aims to develop skills and entrepreneurship in rural, peri-urban and township communities. The KP Academy has formulated energy and water SETA-approved courses and runs artisan training programmes, learnerships, short courses and workshops.

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges are concentrating on 13 trade areas, including bricklayers, millwrights, boilermakers and riggers. Gauteng has eight TVET colleges.

The National Skills Authority (NSA) works with Sector Education Training Authorities (SETAs) in carrying out the National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS). The Human Resource Development Council of South Africa (HRDCSA) is an overarching body working on skills development and training.

ONLINE RESOURCES

Gauteng Department of Education: www.education.gpg.gov.za National Research Foundation: www.nrf.ac.za TUT Enterprise Holdings: www.tutenterprise.co.za SECTOR INSIGHT TVET colleges are concentrating on 13 trade areas.

Tertiary

Three of South Africa’s top five business schools are in Gauteng: the Wits Business School, the University of South Africa’s (Unisa’s) Graduate School of Business Leadership and the Gordon Institute of Business Science, on the Sandton campus of the University of Pretoria.

Eighty percent of the 1 230 lecturers and researchers at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) have post-graduate degrees, and 27 A-rated scientists work there. The university offers studies in more than 40 schools in five faculties.

Pretoria hosts the head office of distance university Unisa. The University of Pretoria (UP) is renowned for research. One of the most famous faculties is veterinary science, which is located at Onderstepoort. The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is a comprehensive institution offering diplomas and degrees through a mix of vocational and academic programmes. The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) and the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) have several campuses. ■

What is the geographic footprint of the Chamber? The areas we cover are: Randburg, Sandton, Fourways, Midrand and Lanseria. What are the key functions of the Chamber? Primarily to promote business, to facilitate introductions, to be the voice of business at municipal, provincial and government levels, in defending business in areas of poor decision-making or unintended consequences of various acts that are passed. We also facilitate opportunities into the SADC regions and work very closely with many embassies regarding trade and tourism. What does the Chamber do to support SMMEs? One of the Chamber’s primary focus areas is the development of SMMEs, finding opportunities for them, business enhancement in training, helping with business plans, company registrations, giving Linda Blackbeard direction to ideas that entrepreneurs might have. Teaching them to form joint ventures with other small businesses and have an opportunity then to tender for work. We promote our local businesses being awarded work in our areas. Does the RCCI interact with government? RCCI is affiliated to the only national chamber body, South African Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SACCI). Through SACCI important issues are dealt with directly at government level. We are also heard at provincial level and the Chamber works with the City of Johannesburg, Trade and Investment SA as well as various national government departments responsible for economic development. Are there particular challenges? Randburg Chamber would love to embrace more businesses. There is so much opportunity around and we could facilitate more if businesses joined. The more businesses stand together with their local chamber of commerce, the stronger our voice will be at municipal, provincial and government level. What does the future hold? Our Electronic Certificate of Origin programme for export saves time and is designed for South African markets. Businesses and members can look forward to renewed focus, positive opportunities, and facilitation in the SADC region for business growth and opportunity.

Promoting and representing businesses in the economic powerhouse. What is the geographic footprint of the Chamber? The areas we cover are: Randburg, Sandton, Fourways, Midrand and Lanseria. What are the key functions of the Chamber? Primarily to promote business, to facilitate introductions, to be the voice of business at municipal, provincial and government levels, in defending business in areas of poor decision-making or unintended consequences of various acts that are passed. We also facilitate opportunities into the SADC regions and work very closely with many embassies regarding trade and tourism. What does the Chamber do to support SMMEs? One of the Chamber’s primary focus areas is the development of SMMEs, finding opportunities for them, business enhancement in training, helping with business plans, company registrations, giving Linda Blackbeard direction to ideas that entrepreneurs might have. Teaching them to form joint ventures with other small businesses and have an opportunity then to tender for work. We promote our local businesses being awarded work in our areas. Does the RCCI interact with government? RCCI is affiliated to the only national chamber body, South African Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SACCI). Through SACCI important issues are dealt with directly at government level. We are also heard at provincial level and the Chamber works with the City of Johannesburg, Trade and Investment SA as well as various national government departments responsible for economic development. Are there particular challenges? Randburg Chamber would love to embrace more businesses. There is so much opportunity around and we could facilitate more if businesses joined. The more businesses stand together with their local chamber of commerce, the stronger our voice will be at municipal, provincial and government level. What does the future hold? Our Electronic Certificate of Origin programme for export saves time and is designed for South African markets. Businesses and members can look forward to renewed focus, positive opportunities, and facilitation in the SADC region for business growth and opportunity.

BIOGRAPHY BIOGRAPHY

Linda Blackbeard ran her own Linda Blackbeard ran her own interior design and hospitality interior design and hospitality company before taking up the reigns as CEO of the RCCI. She is the SACCI Chamber Forum Chairlady and a member of company before taking up the reigns as CEO of the RCCI. She is the SACCI Chamber Forum Chairlady and a member of the South African Chamber of the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry board Commerce and Industry board of directors. She was awarded of directors. She was awarded the Pan African Award in 2018 in the Pan African Award in 2018 in recognition of her achievements recognition of her achievements in the Continental Lifetime in the Continental Lifetime Achiever sector, CEO Global Most Achiever sector, CEO Global Most Influential Women in Business & Influential Women in Business & Government 2018 Awards. Government 2018 Awards.

Contact details

Contact details Physical address: Unit G8 Atrium Terraces, 272 Oak Avenue, Physical address: Unit G8 Atrium Terraces, 272 Oak Avenue, Randburg, Gauteng 2194. Tel: 086 101 9218 | Fax: 086 212 4407 Randburg, Gauteng 2194. Tel: 086 101 9218 | Fax: 086 212 4407 Email: admin@rcci.co.za | Website: www.rcci.co.za 49 Email: admin@rcci.co.za | Website: www.rcci.co.za 49

Randburg Chamber, which was founded in 1959,