Overview
SayPro (Say Progress) is committed to empowering learning, development, and innovation by establishing dynamic and impactful partnerships across the education and training ecosystem. As part of its strategic direction, SayPro facilitates high-level engagements with national education authorities, regulatory councils, and academic institutions to enhance qualification development, programme accreditation, and skills delivery.
1. Strategic Objectives
The facilitation of these partnerships aims to:
- Align SayPro’s training offerings with national qualification frameworks and industry standards.
- Ensure quality, credibility, and recognition of SayPro-accredited programmes.
- Build capacity within institutions and community organisations for sustainable education delivery.
- Create pathways for learners to access formal qualifications, workplace learning, and entrepreneurial opportunities.
- Strengthen monitoring, compliance, and reporting in line with education authority expectations.
2. Key Partners Engaged
A. Education Authorities
- Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET)
Engagements focus on programme registration, institutional registration, and support for community colleges and CETs. - Provincial Departments of Education
Collaboration for youth development programmes, school-leaver support, and local skills alignment. - TVET College Networks
Partnership development for curriculum delivery, learnerships, and bridging programmes aligned with SayPro.
B. Accreditation and Quality Assurance Councils
- QCTO (Quality Council for Trades and Occupations)
SayPro partners with QCTO to support occupational qualification development, assessment centre registration, and SDPs. - SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority)
Alignment of SayPro qualifications and unit standards to NQF frameworks. - UMALUSI and SETAs
For programme articulation, external moderation, and WIL (Work Integrated Learning) collaboration.
C. Academic and Training Institutions
- Public and Private Training Providers
Capacity-building partnerships, joint programme offerings, and shared accreditation pathways. - Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)
Research, internship, and community outreach collaboration. - NPO Learning Hubs and Community Centres
Co-facilitation of non-formal training that ladders into accredited learning.
3. Facilitation Approach
SayPro follows a structured partnership facilitation model:
| Phase | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Stakeholder Mapping | Identify key education and accreditation partners relevant to regional goals. |
| 2. Engagement Planning | Set partnership goals, KPIs, and scopes with each authority or institution. |
| 3. Formalisation | Draft MOUs, partnership agreements, or co-funding models through legal and strategic approval. |
| 4. Co-Implementation | Joint activities including qualification registration, workshops, curriculum development, and WIL rollouts. |
| 5. Monitoring & Evaluation | Track partnership effectiveness through SayPro dashboards, feedback loops, and external reviews. |
4. Partnership Highlights (June 2025)
- 6 new MoUs signed with provincial TVET colleges for entrepreneurship and digital literacy programmes.
- 4 strategic alignment sessions hosted with QCTO and SETA representatives.
- Hosted webinar with 120 participants on “Bridging Informal Learning with Accredited Programmes”.
- Facilitated recognition support for 8 community-based training centres applying for SDP status.
- Delivered compliance support toolkit to partners undergoing site evaluations.
5. Value of Strategic Partnerships
These partnerships enable SayPro to:
- Expand access to quality, accredited education in underserved areas.
- Leverage institutional infrastructure and expertise to deliver impact at scale.
- Comply with evolving policy requirements and education legislation.
- Support partners in becoming fully accredited, compliant training providers.
- Advocate for community-responsive education that integrates formal and informal learning.
6. Conclusion
SayPro’s strategic partnership facilitation is a cornerstone of its mission to professionalise training, uplift community education, and drive systemic change in the learning ecosystem. By maintaining close relationships with education authorities, councils, and institutions, SayPro creates a seamless bridge between policy, practice, and people.
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