Workplace Programme 25^th Anniversary Celebrations

Date:             30 June 2023

 Time:             09:30 for 10:00 – 13:00 

 Venue:          Accolades Boutique Hotel, 72 Dale Rd, President Park, Midrand

Please join Productivity SA in partnership with the Department of Trade, Industry), to commemoration the 25-year anniversary of its flagship programme, the Workplace Challenge Programme (WPC). The celebration will take place on Friday, 30^th June 2023 at the Accolades Boutique Hotel, 72 Dale Rd, President Park AH in Midrand.

Over the past 25 years, the WPC Programme has provided support to 3000 SMMEs, employing over 50,000 people across nine provinces. Its impact is evident in empowering participating companies to compete on a global scale and promoting employment security through sustained growth.  The gathering will bring together 150 distinguished guests, representing government entities, businesses, labour organisations, academic institutions, and other key strategic partners who have played an integral role in the success of the WPC throughout its 25-year journey.

Productivity improvement is the most effective way of ensuring long-term competitiveness, long-term business success, economic growth and, consequently, tackling the challenges of unemployment, poverty, inequality, and exclusion. Productivity leads to greater levels of economic growth, which consequently results in higher income levels and improved well-being of society at large. The more productive the economy, the more its enterprises become competitive and sustainable as well as grow to preserve existing jobs and create new jobs.

“The Workplace Challenge interventions are targeted at the strategic economic sectors as identified in the Sector Master Plans. Productivity SA has over the years leveraged the WPC Programme to continue prioritising participation of historically disadvantaged people and regions in the economy and thereby supporting meaningful Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment using instruments such as Special Economic Zones, Industrial Parks, and Black Industrialists interventions.  

THE PROPOSED PROGRAMME FOR THE EVENT

BACKGROUND

Productivity SA is the entity of the Department of Employment and Labour, established in terms of section 31 of the Employment Services Act, No. 4 of 2014, with the mandate to promote employment growth and productivity, thereby contributing to South Africa's socio-economic development and competitiveness.

Productivity SA proudly has been administering the WPC programme for 25 years. This milestone represents a remarkable achievement, marking a quarter-century of existence—an accomplishment that few companies or programmes attain. The anniversary serves as a moment for reflection, inviting all stakeholders to appreciate the WPC's journey to the present and acknowledge the invaluable contributions made by various partners to its success. It encourages us to look back at the programme's evolution and the defining moments that have shaped the WPC.

Following the launch, the WPC Regional Milestone events will commence, taking place in all provinces from June to October. These regional events will provide previous clients with the opportunity to showcase their products, highlighting the implementation and achievements of the WPC programme. The Regional Milestone events will facilitate the exchange of best practices and invaluable insights gained from the programme, fostering collaboration and propelling continuous improvement.

The Workplace Challenge (WPC) Programme, Productivity SA's flagship initiative, serves as a catalyst for long-term industrialisation and transformation, aiming to establish a productive, high-income economy that remains globally competitive. It focuses on enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of enterprises within priority productive sectors, aligning with the Sector Master Plans, and aims to preserve existing jobs while creating new, productive, and decent employment opportunities. Administered and managed by Productivity SA since 1998, the WPC is funded by the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (the dtic).

The WPC strives to achieve the following objectives:

• Enhance the productivity and competitiveness of enterprises through improved value chain efficiencies.
• Foster the implementation of clusters for industrial competitiveness, collaborative relationships, and continuous improvement.
• Establish model companies to disseminate processes and lessons, serving as beacons of success.

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Website: www.productivitysa.co.za

For Media Enquiries contact:

Nothando Maseko –Productivity SA

Mobile: 072669 7979

E-mail: Nothandom@productivitysa.co.za

Or

Bongani Lukhele – Director: Media Relations 

Tel: (012) 394 1643

Mobile: 079 5083 457

WhatsApp: 074 2998 512

E-mail: BLukhele@thedtic.gov.za 

Follow us on Twitter: @the_dti

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