The annual Retail Management Development Programme (RMDP), presented by Enterprises University of Pretoria (Enterprises UP) in partnership with the Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority (W&RSETA), recently came to an end when the 2015 delegates attended an exclusive certificate ceremony and the launch of the 2016 programme at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

The programme runs part-time over the course of one year. It combines theory with practical application in the workplace and teaches  functional management and transformational leadership.

'The aims of the RMDP are to equip experienced supervisors and middle managers with the fundamental proficiencies they need to become effective leaders and pursue their goals of excellence in their respective organisations, and to create career paths towards development and growth for participating candidates,' said Ms Pearl Maphoshe, Chairperson of the W&RSETA.

She noted that, through the assistance of UP and in partnership with Enterprises UP, 1 042 people have already completed the programme successfully since its inception in 2012. The RMDP was introduced in response to the lack of formal skills among middle managers in the wholesale and retail sectors.

The programme leader, Dr Chris Lombard, commended the W&RSETA's efforts to professionalise the retail sector and promote retail as a career of choice.

'Good leaders identify potential and allow employees to excel in tasks at which they are skilled,' he said. He encouraged the delegates to put their learning into practice at their companies.

Speaking on behalf of the delegates, Njabule Nsele expressed how valuable the RMDP had been for all of them. Many delegates have since received promotions and/or successfully implemented operational solutions that have improved organisational performance at their companies.

The event also served as the launch of the RMDP 2016. The new delegates expressed their excitement at the prospect of improving their skills and bringing change to the wholesale and retail sectors, as well as to their companies.

For more information on the RMDP, click here.