Celebrating real-time retail transformation in action

The annual Retail Management Development Programme (RMDP), presented by Enterprises University of Pretoria (Enterprises UP) in partnership with the Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority (W&RSETA), recently concluded the challenging, year-long programme for the 2015 group of delegates with an exclusive certificate ceremony and launch of the 2016 programme at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

Delegates and course presenters from the 2015 Retail Management Development Programme (RMDP) who were hosted by the W&RSETA at the Sandton Convention Centre.

The programme runs part-time over the course of the year, combining theory with practical workplace application, teaching functional management and transformational leadership.

“The RMDP aims to equip experienced supervisors and middle-managers with the fundamental proficiencies to become effective leaders in pursuing their goals of excellence in their respective organisations, and to create career pathways for development and growth for successful participating candidates, earmarked for accelerated development,” says Ms Pearl Maphoshe, Chairperson of the W&RSETA.

She notes that through the assistance of the University of Pretoria (UP), and in partnership with Enterprises UP, 1,042 people have already successfully completed the programme since its inception in 2012. The RMDP was introduced as a response to the lack of formal skills exhibited by middle-managers within the Wholesale and Retail Sector.

The programme leader, Dr Chris Lombard, commended the W&RSETA’s efforts to professionalise the retail sector for promoting retail as a career of choice.

“Good leaders identify potential and they allow people to excel in what they are good at,” he states. He encouraged the delegates to return to their companies to put their learning into practice.

Speaking on behalf of the delegates, Njabule Nsele expressed how valuable attending the RMDP had been for all of them. Many delegates have since received promotions and/or have managed to implement operational solutions which have improved organisations performance at their respective companies. The RMDP 2016 was also launched on the day, with the new delegates expressing excitement at the prospects of improving their skills and bringing change to the Wholesale and Retail Sector, as well as their companies.

For more information on the RMDP and delegate engagement, click here.