Capacity Development Programme Graduates
www.MyPE.co.za: A
group of 25 dynamic entrepreneurs recently graduated from the Port
Elizabeth Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PERCCI)’s very
first Capacity Development Programme. The initiative was launched as a
joint partnership between PERCCI and Rio Tinto Alcan, in recognition of
the importance of growing small businesses within the local economy.
Rio Tinto Alcan has made a three year commitment to the programme. A
further 50 SMME’s are set to complete the course before the end of the
year.
According to PERCCI
Operations Manager, Samantha Venter, the objective
behind the programme is to strengthen the capabilities of SMME’s in the
region to ensure they are credible service providers who have the
ability to deliver quality products on time.
“PERCCI’s role is to develop our members, particularly those in the
SMME sector, so that they are in a position to take advantage of
contracts that will benefit their businesses,” said Venter. “Members
who have participated in the programme should be in a strong position
to grow their businesses. We hope to see micro to small businesses grow
to medium sized organisations and medium companies expand to become
large corporations.”
To this end, the course is well-rounded and consists of seven modules,
including Business planning & Management; Marketing &
Sales; People management & legal issues; Finance &
Accounting; Quality Management Systems Logistics & IT; and
Tendering & Contracts.
Venter added that PERCCI had noted that the biggest challenge for small
companies who were awarded large contracts was the fact that they were
not adequately prepared and therefore often failed to deliver.
“Through this programme, we hope to assist companies put growth plans
in place that are both practical and implementable. We realise that
this kind of growth does not happen overnight and our aim is to ensure
that small businesses do not take on more work than they can deliver.
We have been extremely fortunate to access the services of the
Department of Business & Economic Science at the Nelson Mandela
Metropolitan University. Through the programme we hope to encourage
SMME’s to develop their businesses according to a viable business plan,
as we have discovered that many small entrepreneurs need a guiding hand
to reach their full potential.”
Venter said businesses that had been in existence for over two years
and enjoyed an annual turnover of more than R300 000 were eligible to
participate in the programme.
“This programme takes existing businesses and helps shape their
abilities, and assists them in identifying not only new business
opportunities, but also opportunities that they might otherwise have
overlooked,” she said.
“The course is not an end in itself. Participants will continue their
business growth journey through our mentorship programme which pairs
up-and-coming entrepreneurs with experienced business people, many of
them retired and looking to ‘give something back’.
We also recognise the experience and expertise brought to this
programme by Rio Tinto Alcan, who have shared with us their best
practices gathered from all over the world. Through them, we are
promoting and encouraging entrepreneurship within Nelson Mandela Bay by
establishing higher benchmarks across all activities.”
Source: PERCCI.
Port Elizabeth Budget Accommodation
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