4 minute read

Education at Wits Business School.

Digitisation and digitalisation have transformed our world of work and put many of us in challenging positions. Many are questioning: am I still relevant for this position? Is this role even going to be around much longer? At Wits Business School (WBS), we believe that there is no need to fear.

Not only do we aim to remain relevant but, as a leading research institution, we develop highly credible and relevant courses and programmes that enhance the relevance of our delegates in their job roles and assist them in leadership roles.

People are the new competitive edge in business. Products or services can be duplicated and emulated by competitors but nobody can copy and paste the rich, intangible assets of talented employees who perform in an exemplary manner. Future leaders must be agile in order to respond quickly to new problems and to imagine and pursue new solutions.

Executive Education is a division of WBS that designs and delivers educational interventions to business professionals as part of their continued professional development and life-long learning. Frequently, the courses are tailored to particular cohorts or organisations, ensuring that the courses meet the needs of the specific industry or organisation.

The Executive Education short course offerings include globally-recognised transformative learning methodologies, networking and skills-sharing opportunities, Action Learning Projects, expert coaching and workplace application. Our team of pracademics bring to the classroom first-hand and up-todate industry experience in order to maximise productivity, drive innovation and sustainability, and to develop a competitive advantage.

Executive Education’s aim is to develop leaders who can fashion the future of the African continent and raise the values-bar on how business is done on the continent. Learning is therefore relevant to the challenges and opportunities what we face, providing our delegates with a deep understanding of the complexities of doing business in Africa within a global context.

The vision of WBS is to be a leading African Business School firmly embedded amongst the best business schools internationally. Through quality and impactful programmes. WBS aims to become a leading African Business School by offering life-long access to Africa’s premier, globally-connected ecosystem in digital technology and innovation.

WBS stands at an exciting juncture: the world has undergone a seismic shift brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic; technology has connected us as never before. Moreover, climate change has forced us to rethink how we do business.

Operating from the heart of Africa’s financial and economic hub, Johannesburg, and as a leader in research in areas critical to sustainable growth, WBS has a powerful role to play in equipping young leaders with the skills they need to build the future they want.

WBS is preparing the business leaders of tomorrow to manage the continent’s economic transformation effectively. These leaders will facilitate the goal of our constitution for an inclusive developmental future for all of our people. This is the next leg on our journey as we consolidate our position as a leading African business school.

Flexible Learning Is Critical In Professional Development

Due to the dynamic nature of a rapidly-changing business environment, WBS is positioned to adapt to new ways of work. The need to develop employees to adapt to this new way of work is becoming critical. It is time for individuals and companies to focus on honing, developing and upskilling their skillsets and knowledge bases.

The latest trend is to evolve dynamically through flexibility: flexible working hours, flexible places of work and flexible methods of working. Now there is flexible learning, a crucial element for professionals at all levels. This has prompted tertiary institutions to expand their offerings through affordable and accredited partners.

Flexible learning is more than just transferring a course to a digital platform. Flexible learning is flexible practices of formal education, increasing flexibility across the scope of requirements, payment options, time and location of study, assessments and certifications. Flexible learning can be delivered through blended (hybrid) or online modes.

Whether one opts for an online short course or attends a three-day workshop arranged by one’s employer, the participation skills learned in such professional development options tend to be versatile and transferable. Thus, flexible learning is the ideal solution for employers looking to upskill staff as well as for individuals seeking a career change or improvement in their professional skills for their current field of work.

For professionals and employees, flexible learning is definitely the way to go. With short course and microcredentials on offer, you can advance your career through further study, without having to give up the work that pays for these studies. Career advancement through additional qualifications is a feasible and affordable option.

F lexible learning also offers various perks and benefits to both employers and individuals, some of which are listed below:

• allows learners to learn where and when it suits them

• accommodates learners’ learning styles and preferences more effectively

• offers a more comfortable learning environment than a traditional classroom

• offers increased convenience and flexibility for learners

• is economically viable, with lower total costs

• provides training options that can accommodate business demands and needs for employers

• increases employee (and student) retention and attendance

• develops learners’ independence and confidence while improving achievement

• provides employees an opportunity to gain new knowledge and develop new skills.

Whether you’re an individual or an employee looking to explore flexible learning options, WBS is guaranteed to have a suitable course to meet your needs. WBS’s Executive Education series of courses is targeted not only at senior executives and executives, but managers of all levels who are looking to harness their skills and translate their knowledge into practical and e ffective business solutions. These course off ers greater insight into business leadership for the benefit of your individual growth as well as the growth of the organisation. Our innovative and impactful Executive Education courses have been developed by industry experts and academics to help you refresh and hone your leadership skills.

The Action Learning Project, the Personal Development Plan and the Business Cases allow you to test and apply what you’ve learnt in your work environment. As part of the Executive Education series, you will learn how to improve your effectiveness as a leader, how to apply strategic analysis to practical situations and how to effectively negotiate for what you want. Our programmes provide you with the best in knowledge, tools, research and practical exposure.

Wits Business School aims to play a clearly-defined role in the future of our country and continent!

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