CPUT-based Centre for Enterprise Research Partnership and Innovation in Africa (CERPIA) aims to train and certify women with the SAP digital business system and skills.

This women empowerment initiative strives to skill 100 female CPUT students and staff in SAP by August 2020, said CERPiA manager Jerry Ansen at the initiative’s launch recently. “The women will learn how the fundamental integrated business processes of procurement, production, planning, project management, sales, customer service, asset management, financial accounting, human resources and analytics interact on SAP ERP [Enterprise Resource Planning].”

Ansen added that all theoretical parts are complemented with hands-on sessions performed directly on SAP technologies during which real world challenges are tackled. “The SAP course will enhance and empower the CPUT-selected female students with understanding of integrated business systems and improve their productivity in the market place.”

He said there was a gender gap in the technology sector that must be addressed.

Guest speaker, Foschini Retail Group’s Yvette Greeff, said the key skills that employers look for from jobseekers are critical thinking, oral and written communication, collaboration, business acumen, time management, leadership, confidence and assertiveness, emotional intelligence and professionalism.

HoD: Human Resources Management (HRM), Dr Liiza Gie, said the 10 BTech students from her department who graduated from the SAP training in 2018 are all now employed in business organisations.

CPUT’s Advancement Director, Calvin Maseko, said he was happy all the HRM students are now employed and called funding their SAP training a worthy investment.

Students who successfully completed the SAP course were awarded their certificates. HRM graduates said that in the workplace the SAP training gave them a competitive edge over their counterparts who did not have it.

Written by Kwanele Butana

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The Dean of the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences (FBMS), Prof Paul Green, recently heaped praise on a celebration of academic achievement, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence by the CPUT staff members and students who have completed the SAP S/4 HANA course as well as candidates from our industrial partner Shoprite.

Green was speaking at the SAP S/4 HANA graduation ceremony, recently organised by the Centre for Enterprise Research Partnership and Innovation in Africa (CERPiA) and the Advancement Department and held at the Cape Town Hotel School. “It is with great pleasure that we gather here today to honour the dedication and hard work of our graduating students who have successfully completed their SAP S/4 HANA certification under the auspices of the Centre for Enterprise Research, Partnership, and Innovation in Africa (CERPIA),” said Green.

CERPIA is an institutional centre established by Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo. CERPIA through CPUT is a member of the SAP University Alliance (UA) since 2009, which seeks to transfer theoretical and practical scarce digital business systems skills to university students in preparation of entering the job market. These digital business systems skills are driven by Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) principles using SAP Software as a tool. CERPIA education partners are SAP University Alliance, University Competent Centre (UCC) and the industry partners.

CERPIA SAP education manager and trainer, Jerry Ansen, said the purpose of these courses was to equip student and staff with the knowledge and skills required to effectively use SAP software for managing business operations and processes. Ansen added that the courses are for students and staff to master SAP ERP skills, and enhance their digital business skills and to enhance students employability.

He said BANKSETA sponsored 38 students of which 31 graduated and ETDPSETA sponsored 29 staff of which 23 graduated. The SAP programmes were introduced to CPUT by Ansen, and he has been the pillar behind the skills development of staff and students since 2009.

All students are welcome to attend the courses as there is no selection criteria, “We depend on funding for students from Advancement Department”. “Graduates get to learn 21st-century ICT digital skills, be empowered to take current job opportunities and be competitive in the market space.” Addressing the graduates, Ansen said: “Congratulations!! And I wish you all the best in your professional digital business skills careers.”

31 CPUT students graduated from SAP S4 HANA in:

• Human Capital Management
• Financial Accounting
• Materials Management
• Master Data Management
• Project Management

There were three staff members in SAP S/4 HANA – TS410 and eight candidates from Shoprite Group ltd and SAP S/4 HANA- Materials Management. CERPIA, as the driving force behind advancing digital business skills, plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of “our students and the broader community,” Green remarked. “As part of the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences… We are committed to equipping our students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their chosen fields.”

He added that through the FBMS integration of SAP skills into their curricula and the provision of certifications, “we empower our students to stand out in a highly competitive industry”. “This strategic focus on SAP not only enhances graduate employability but also ensures that our students are well-equipped to meet the evolving demands of the digital economy. It is this emphasis on practical, industry-relevant skills that makes our graduates more marketable and sought after by employers.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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