Name of the Project: DG0910 Woolworths Growth Academy Project
Description of the Project:
Woolworths identified the need to invest in the development of top talent - unemployed graduates in
South Africa. They received funding through the Discretionary Grant 2009/2010 project in order to
recruit and train these learners. The graduates were taken into the business, completed a specialised
mini management development programme (MDP) through the University of Stellenbosch Business
School (USB), and spent time within the various business units in order to obtain workplace experience
in the full spectrum of a retail business. Woolworths also included some of their internal staff members
in the programme as unfunded learners.
The following subjects were covered as part of the mini MDP:
 General Management
 Marketing and Customer Service
 Financial Management
 Leadership
 Economics
 People Management
28 unemployed learners were recruited and commenced work in February 2010. An additional 12
employed learners were also included in the project. Each learner spent a placement period of between
3 weeks and 3 months within each of the following business units:
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Foods
Corporate Stores
Marketing
Finance
Human Resources
IT
Supply Chain & Logistics
Planning
39 learners successfully completed the MDP programme and were certificated at a graduation ceremony
in March 2011. 13 of the unemployed learners have been permanently employed and the remaining 14
learners are in the process of securing permanent placement. The workplace experience component
completes in August 2011.
Objectives/Aims of the Project i.e. Purpose of the Project:
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To create a sustainable development programme for unemployed graduates
To provide workplace experience and employment to graduates from higher education
institutions within the identified scarce skills areas of the W&R sector
Provide an opportunity for graduates to gain exposure in different areas of a retail business
Help attract Generation Y into the retail industry
Help promote the employment and development of employment equity talent pipeline
Improve the skill level in the country
Address the gap between our education system and practical application / integration of
graduates into the workplace
Create and execute an ongoing process that will ensure the continuous placement of skilled
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individuals at both management and entry level positions
Provide previously disadvantaged individuals with management training for entry into junior
management positions
Key Highlights of the Project:
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Marketing of career opportunities within retail – more graduates interested in working in retail
Learners delivered meaningful business solutions from projects completed
Very high completion rate – 27 of the 28 unemployed learners who started the programme have
successfully completed the theoretical training (96%)
Excellent learner feedback:
o “My most memorable moment of the program was being able to go to Joburg and
conduct research for my thesis. This experience I will carry with me for the rest of my life
as I ventured into places I thought I would never go to, and be exposed to a totally new
environment. The Growth Academy has really been a once in a lifetime experience for
me, and I am glad to be one our of a few that has had the opportunity to be able to learn
so much from it and I know it will be of great benefit to me in the future.”
o “My most memorable was when I presented to EXCO recommendation of optimising
frozen box in Supply Chain. USB blocks broaden my business knowledge.”
o “Overall, the program was a great success. The business values have been entrenched in
me and I am definitely looking forward to a prosperous career at Woolies.”
o “Every time we sign off from a business unit, we are tasked to do a presentation to the
leadership team, it’s a nerve-wracking experience, but exciting at the same time. To me it
was good to see them listening to your presentation and take it very seriously.”
o “I have grown within my personal capacity. I have met with and overcome challenges
with great success.”
Key Initiatives and Focus Areas for the Year Ahead:
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Learners are to complete their placement experience in August 2011.
The learners who have not yet been permanently placed will complete the recruitment process,
resulting in permanent employment.
Due to the great success of this project, Woolworths intend running a similar programme annually.
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