TBWA Group in skills development initiative

TBWA Hunt Lascaris was the first advertising agency in the country to offer outcomes-based learnerships endorsed by the Services SETA.

The company has offered learnerships in Marketing Communication at NQF4 and Brand Management (NQF5) levels. The courses are aimed at those individuals eager to enter the marketing industry that might not have had the opportunity of formal qualifications or practical experience, but those already employed can also benefit from the learnerships.

Nicky Lascaris (HR) notes: "The first intake is expected to have completed the course and reached 100% competency by April, after which we will introduce the second learnerships." Some trainees at NQF4 level from the 2003 intake are being taken to NQF5 this year to ensure continued development. The theoretical side of the training is provided by Vega College whilst the agency and selected mentors provide the practical grounding.

In addition, from this year, Imagination Lab, the non-profit arm of Vega, will also act as a feeder scheme to the learnership programme as the agency will offer some places to 'graduates' of the Lab's own one-year training course.

"We're greatly encouraged by the progress of all our learners and urge other agencies to make similar commitments to skills transfer. Potential benefits are huge - for our country, our industry, the agencies themselves and for trainees," continued Lascaris.

TBWA Hunt Lascaris pioneered mentor-based training for historically disadvantaged South Africans when it launched its Thumbprint programme 10 years ago. This groundbreaking effort has now been superseded by systems that are SETA-endorsed and NQF-compliant.