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2021/22 W&RSETA RESEARCH AGENDA

The W&RSETA conducts research on various outlined topics with the purpose to improve the labour market data that is used in the
development of the Sector Skills Plan and sector specific skills interventions that are responsive to the demands of the Wholesale and
Retail Sector.
The W&RSETA has planned to implement the following research projects for the 2021/22 financial year:

Transformation to advance business sustainability and resilience, with a focus on building
entrepreneurship (SMEs, micro-enterprises, and informal traders) within the W&R sector:
o Examine the characteristics of successful entrepreneurs.
o Develop an economic entrepreneurial business model in support and development of SMMEs.
o Comparison between successful entrepreneurs within the W&R sector and the food and
beverage sector, and,
o Determine education and training.

Evaluation of suitable learning interventions/programmes for the
employed and unemployed:
Research Studies
o Reasons for high uptake for learning programmes.
o Are we investing in the right programmes in the right provinces?

Training providers from previously disadvantaged groups:

o Consider where they have been able to access the PSET ecosystem successfully.
o How they have fared over the years (stumbling blocks or challenges).
o Support required to enable access.

Impact of the W&RSETA programmes on persons with disabilities:

o Relevance of programmes.
o Mainstreaming access of persons with disabilities within the sector.
o Role of 4IR on access to the labour market.

W&RSETA bursary and placement funding model/grants: 40% drop out
Impact Studies rate – reasons why it is high, and possible mitigation interventions:

o Return on investment vs drop-out.
o Why are graduates not being absorbed?
o Relevance of occupations funded.
o New occupational needs for investment.
o Funding model.
o Role of 4IR on access to the labour market.

Cross-regional skills development training

o Model for cross-regional training.
Joint Research o Opportunities and challenges.
Interventions
Linking education and work: Provider, employer and learner
perceptions on preparation for and through work:

o Understanding the current and future economic and labour context and trend dynamics.
o How education providers, employers, and learners interpret and experience education for
and through work (barriers, opportunities and examples of good practice)
o Recommendations on how the W&RSETA can enhance its learning support and offerings.
o Development of a working paper to reflect how theoretical discourse and concepts of learning
correlate with the project’s findings.
o Role of experiential training in preparing or upskilling graduates for the retail industry.
o Priority skills development and occupation pathways for a resilient sector

Stakeholders are encouraged to participate in these research studies in order to provide the W&RSETA with accurate information that
will assist the SETA to respond to the needs of the sector.

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W&RSETA | September 2021