Continuing Education at University of Pretoria (CE at UP) has been in existence since 2000, during the past 9 years it has become an established and well-known organisation and is occupying the higher ground as a quality, professional and career-focused training provider.
The offering of more than 450 certificate courses across 21 fields of study, a dedication towards quality assurance and its affiliation with the University of Pretoria truly sets it apart from other service providers in the industry. CE at UP has presented courses to almost 24 000 delegates from the private and public sectors during 2008.
CE at UP is looking forward to reaching the next level of business and academic excellence. The entity will strive to achieve this by stimulating positive human energy towards skills development, a winning attitude and strength of mindset.
The year 2009 will see the organisation seeking new opportunities in the continuing education sector and developing new products to meet insufficiencies of companies and government that is being illustrated in the current economic down-slope. Deon Herbst, CEO of CE at UP, believes strongly that continuing education institutes have a bigger responsibility to train and empower people to make a difference.
Deon Herbst, CEO of CE at UP
Continuous education is the key to enhance productivity, provide customer service excellence, and empower employees and address the ongoing skills shortages in various industries.
South Africa is experiencing a skills crisis at present. This was again made clear in a speech by deputy president Kgalema Mothlanthe to the HIP Alliance where he stressed that education is one of the government’s four main priorities. The skills shortage reaches across the boundaries of public and private sectors and even into the informal sector where single skilled individuals find their own way to enter the economic market place.
In times of uncertainty, like we are experiencing across the globe at present it is also important for individuals to look at supplementing their existing skills or acquiring new skills through lifelong learning to ensure employability.
CE at UP has become a leader in the continuing education arena and the organisations success can be attributed to three distinct, but interrelated factors, the first being the company’s emphasis on ethical business processes. Clients know that they will be treated fairly and that they are dealing with a reputable service provider backed by an institution - the University of Pretoria – that has made its name as a centre of excellence. In 2008 the University of Pretoria celebrated its 100 year centenary.
Secondly, CE at UP focuses on tailor-made training programmes and does not adhere to the adage of “one-size-fits-all”. Programmes may be customised to fulfill the needs of clients’ employees. Knowledge gained through training will stimulate human energy and that will, in turn, translate to increased productivity and ultimately enhanced profitability.
The third important factor that adds to CE at UP’s success, and which will ultimately sustain the business, is the long term contracts that are a direct result of sound client relations.
CE at UP will continue to pursue its vision of being the leading training and career development partner to the public and commercial sectors, nationally and internationally with specific focus on enlarging its footprint in Africa.