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Mastering BBBEE Training: Implementation and Evaluation Strategies

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Mastering BBBEE Training: Implementation and Evaluation Strategies

For over 25 years, BBBEE has been a driving force for meaningful change throughout South Africa. At the heart of this empowerment lies a powerful tool – BBBEE training programmes. These training programmes can be a catalyst for enhancing work diversity, improving the lives of employees, and bringing about valuable tax benefits, refined skills and better business for employers. Thus, BBBEE training programmes have the potential to propel both employees and employers toward success.
In this blog we will point you in the right direction to not only implement your own learnership programmes but how to maintain its success through effective evaluation strategies. Therefore, ensuring a brighter future for all.

Why is BBBEE training so important:

BBBEE, otherwise known as Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment, is a critical component that is used to transform South Africa’s economy and its people for the better. But what does training have to do with it? Well, the answer is everything.

 

Aside from boosting your scorecard with valuable BBBEE points for Skills Development, BBBEE training can be extremely rewarding for your surrounding community. Your training efforts address historical injustices by giving previously disadvantaged individuals the opportunity to obtain a better life for themselves through education. Therefore, bringing more marginalized groups into the South African workforce and ultimately boosting the economy.

 

Additionally, your company can benefit from this process too. You could grow a more skilled workforce, foster an environment of growth, showcase your commitment to social causes and open the channels to do business with the government and other BBBEE compliant companies.
As you can see, when it comes to the importance of BBBEE training, there is a substantial list of benefits. That’s why choosing to add value to your company while simultaneously changing the lives of others through BBBEE training can be a huge advantage in the South African business context.

What are some ways of implementing BBBEE training:

But where do you begin? Luckily, we have navigated the Skills Development and BBBEE landscape for over 25 years to come up with training solutions across industries such as Freight & Logistics, Administration, Management, Information Technology and Wholesale & Retail. Here are a few of the tried and tested ways of making a difference through BBBEE training:

1. Learnerships

Learnerships are a common form of Skills Development training that can gain you BEE points, while improving the skills of others. A learnership is an accredited work-based skills programme that includes both practical and theoretical training. They may take up to 12 months to complete and can be completed by any individual of colour, black, Indian or cloured, without the need for prior learning.

 

A learnership will usually focus on a specific sector within the working world. This includes qualifications in Business Administration, Freight and Logistics and Information Technology. Once completed, students receive a nationally recognised qualification and certificate that is accredited with NQF.

 

2. Internships

Often confused with Learnerships, Internships differ in that they focus primarily on giving individuals valuable work experience. This is usually aimed at students or recent graduates that are looking to build up their resume in a professional setting.

 

For an internship to be BBBEE compliant, an individual will need to complete a work experience ‘module’ or professional registration. Therefore, internships are often regarded as a candidacy programmes and can serve as the final stage of a training programme.
What are some ways of implementing BBBEE training

3. Apprenticeship

Yet another ‘ship’ in the BBBEE landscape, apprenticeships are often implemented within the artisanal fields to provide students with workplace experience and tuition. This programme can take up to three years to complete and students will need to complete the relevant trade theory (N Levels) in order to complete the Trade Test at the end of their apprenticeship. If the test is successful, the student can become a qualified artisan.

Why do you need to evaluate your BBBEE training efforts:

To make all the incredible BBBEE benefits take root, you will need to make sure that your training efforts are implemented effectively. By regularly evaluating your training you can address areas of improvement and make sure that your training aligns with your organisation’s objectives and BBBEE requirements.
Additionally, frequent evaluation can cut out any potential risks, allocate resources more effectively, measure the impact on your business and your community and make more informed decisions. With all of this in mind, you can now see why taking that first step to evaluate your training efforts is so crucial.

Setting your BBBEE training goals:

We’ve previously spoken about setting training goals, but what does this look like in practice? This process is a strategic decision to align all your efforts with the objectives of BBBEE. Here are a few methods that can help you along the way to setting better training goals for your company:

1. Understand BBBEE Codes and Objectives

It’s difficult to implement a process without understanding it’s intricacies first. Start at step one by informing yourself about the specific BEE codes, targets and objectives related to Skills Development training. Most importantly, make sure the information you find is relevant and up to date.

There are many sources of gaining insight into BBBEE Skills Development. You could consult with a BEE consultant, SDF Facilitator, or read BBBEE blogs from reputable sources. Edge Training has over 25 years in the training sector. Therefore, we have extensive knowledge on the ins and outs of meeting BEE requirements while simultaneously meeting the needs of your company. Reach out to one of our representatives for more information.

 

2. Assess your current training initiatives

You can’t improve what you are not aware of. Therefore, it is crucial to run an analysis on how your company is currently implementing training initiatives and where you can improve. This should include the number of black employees participating in training programmes, the types of training on offer, and the resources allocated to these programmes. By determining this, you’ll have a reliable starting point that you can use to bring about meaningful change within your company.

3. Set SMART goals

SMART goals are a common method of setting goals that are focused and effective. With this method in place, you can clarify your ideas, focus your efforts, use your time productively and increase your chances of desirable outcomes. SMART goals work in the following way:

 

1. Specific
Clearly define what you want to achieve in relation to Skills Development, training initiatives and advancement of black individuals.
2. Measurable
Why is it important that your goals should be measurable? So you can determine quantifiable metrics and targets that you can use to measure your success and progress
3. Achievable
Make sure your goals are realistic and attainable within your given restraints
4. Relevant
Does the training align with your business goals and needs? Make sure your training programmes are relevant to your company’s industry, workforce and strategic needs
5. Time-Bound
Specify deadlines and timelines for achieving your goals

Ways in which you can measure your BBBEE training efforts:

Once you’ve chosen your training programme, chosen the correct training provider, and set up your learners you may feel like it’s time to sit back and relax. However, to get the most out of your training it’s essential to implement regular training evaluations. Here’s how:

1. Your BBBEE Scorecard

It should come as no surprise that your BBBEE scorecard is a good place to start. For those that don’t know, a BBBEE scorecard is a measurement of the BEE compliance of your business. The criterial include various elements that work on a points system, resulting in different BBBEE levels. These BBBEE scorecard elements include Ownership, Management Control, Skills Development, Enterprise and Supplier Development and Socio-Economic Development.
By regularly reviewing these sections you can see where your training programmes are working and where they fall short. This can either be done internally or outsourced to BEE professionals.
Ways in which you can measure your BBBEE training efforts

2. Develop a Workplace Skills Plan (WSP)

A WSP is an important tool that can be used to help develop and implement your Skills Development programmes. By drawing up this document you’ll have a comprehensive outline of all your BBBEE training objectives. This gives you a measuring stick to compare your training efforts to your objectives. This data can then be used to report and verify training outcomes. This also acts as evidence that your organization has implemented training programmes and are serious about bringing about change. Additionally, this document can be continuously updated and reviewed to ensure that your training efforts are meeting your BBBEE goals.

3. Skills Development progress

While Skills Development is essential to meet the required score count on your scorecard, you should also aim to make these efforts work for your company. To do this, you can start by measuring the advancement of your students in acquiring new skills and knowledge. Is there a clear indication of growth? Have they gained the ability to take on new responsibilities within the company? You can answer these questions by assessing and gaining insight into your employees’ performance.

4. Employee Satisfaction and Retention

Happy employees that feel like they are growing are more likely to stay with your company. Therefore, as part of your evaluation process it’s important to measure your employees job satisfaction after completing a learning programme.
This can be done by conducting an employee satisfaction survey to gain insights on the effectiveness of training programmes and its effect on job satisfaction. You should also keep an eye on retention rates as this can be an indicator on your employee’s contentment and the success of your training initiatives. Lastly, use exit interviews as a chance to gain a better understanding on the reasons why your employees have chosen to leave your company.

5. Benchmarking against other businesses

Sometimes it’s better to work smart than hard. Looking into what your competitors are doing can help you gain a better understanding on what’s working and meeting industry standards. Having this comparison can be helpful in highlighting your own areas of improvement.
To do this you can invest time into researching industry standards and identifying key point indicators relevant to your training programmes. To make this process easier there are also various industry organisations and associations that specialize in benchmark data.

6. Seek feedback

You may find that the information that you’re looking for is right there under your nose. Asking members involved in your training initiatives can be a goldmine for identifying where you’re going wrong and how to improve. You could consult with students directly, team managers, HR professionals or those in charge on running your BBBEE initiatives.
To gain open and constructive feedback it can be helpful to conduct regular feedback sessions, create a structured system for anonymous suggestions and act on feedback once it is given. By openly acting on feedback you are not only improving your businesses processes but are also instilling confidence and trust into your employees.

Next Steps:

Are you ready to start your learnership journey? As an accredited Level 1 BBBEE training provider, Edge Training is up for the task. We have a wide range of accredited learnership programmes suitable for many areas of business. Our values are built on creating positive, meaningful change for our clients. Therefore, we are always looking to improve our training and provide solutions that not only meets a BEE requirement but also fills a genuine company need.

If you’re looking for Skills Development advice, we will gladly lead you along the path to finding the right learnership programme for you. You can reach out to one of our representatives today by clicking the link here.

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Please Note: Any student related applications submitted through this form will be considered “UNSUCCESSFUL”. To apply for a training opportunity, click this link: Student Applications. 

Legal Disclaimer. We will not spam, rent or sell your information. Never submit sensitive information, such as credit card numbers or passwords.