Over the past 12 months, the students have received theoretical training from the training team, which has a combined total of over 100 years of experience in the retail sector. They have also served yearlong internships with its retail partners. Out of the 178 qualifying students who were accepted on the programme, 116 learners were placed within Essential Hardware stores in order to gain on the job experience.
"The student retention rate of 82% on the UYAP is a victory in the face of the current average retention rate of about 50%," said Retail Relate's MD Leigh Blocklinger.
"This initiative shows that upliftment in a critical area is possible and assists the imperative area of unemployment and skills shortage in South Africa," said Mike Valsecchi, GM of Essential Hardware Group.
According to Valsecchi, this is the first of many future training programmes to come for the hardware group. In assisting the government to address key skills development issues, the group has also utilised the services of Retail Relate for internal staff training on retail management and the principles of retailing science.
Valsecchi is pleased at the outcome of the innovative programme, which is aligned with the group's strategy of keeping it 'local' as each of the learners gained hands-on experience in a local Essential Hardware Store.
"Graduates are not only now employable, but have the skills to achieve a sustainable future within environment, an advantage for many. Over and above the responsibility aspect of the programme, the commercial value is a natural spinoff, as member stores now have access to the cream of the crop of relevantly trained learners. Education in South Africa is crucial on our collective economy and the group is proud to be supportive, he concludes.
