The WCP grant is a joint initiative between the dti and Productivity South Africa (Productivity SA) that is implemented over a period of 24-months. The aim of the programme is to encourage and support negotiated workplace transformation to improve productivity and job creation. The WCP grant programme plays a role in ensuring that we increase the industrial base of the country’s economy in order to achieve notable growth. The programme goes a long way in decentralising this industrialisation in order to include all parts of the country, as well broadening the participation of previously disadvantaged people.
According to Minister Davies, the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) has been offering the WPC to small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) since 1998, hence the campaign to celebrate the achievements of the programme and reflect on new opportunities to take the programme to the next level. The campaign is also aimed at re-establishing the programme’s position in the market place by actively creating awareness about its benefits. The focus of the programme is in line with government’s objective to broaden participation in the economy in order to strengthen economic development. In addition, it focuses on the development of regional and industrial clusters.
Workplace Challenge processes, experiences and lessons have been collated for eight clusters, incorporating 57 companies and 9 487 staff members. Three new clusters, incorporating 24 companies with 4 899 staff started the orientation phase in May last year. Some 30 companies out of the 57 are small or medium enterprises.