"This solution both increases the sales division and empowers employees with the right skills to accomplish their jobs efficiently," says Laetitia Coetzer, special projects manager at Konica Minolta South Africa.
This is the first Sales and Marketing Learnership Programme registered with the Services SETA. "As there was no registered programme incorporating both these subjects previously, Mercuri International and Aasifa Omar from accredited training provider, Perform to Prosper, developed it based on the current marketing learnership material in order to solve the company's identified sales and marketing needs," explains Coetzer.
Also a registered SAQA accredited NQF level 4 programme, the first Sales and Marketing Learnership Programme began in May 2013 and runs to 30 April 2014. "The candidates sourced by the company initially had to undergo stringent assessments to ensure that they are the type of candidates the company requires for this programme. They must display diligence, focus, drive and above all passion. The company also focused on black female candidates to increase its B-BBEE score. Ultimately, nine candidates were selected to attend the programme."
The curriculum's theoretical training, which includes various sales e-learning modules, is staggered over the duration of the learnership in order to provide the candidates with as much workplace experience as possible. This also allows the learners to practise their new skills sufficiently.
The company's sales managers and current sales consultants at its Pretoria and Johannesburg branches will provide guidance, coaching and mentoring. Omar and Mercuri International trainers will deliver the theoretical training, which is coordinated by the company.
"Implementing this learnership programme is a win-win situation for all involved. The company gains the benefit of properly trained and qualified candidates for potential future employment and adds valuable points to the skills element of its B-BBEE certification. For the learners, it adds a qualification to their CVs and ultimately impacts both their own lives and the well-being of their families," concludes Coetzer.
