"The landmark agreement opens up a whole new world of opportunity for our members. Through our partnership with the ICSC, we've been able to explore our full education offering, identify certifications that will add real value to our members and make them available locally," says Amanda Stops, CEO of the SACSC.
She points out that ICSC is active in over 100 countries, making its internationally accredited education programmes truly global qualifications.
Founded in 1957, ICSC is the premier global trade association of the shopping centre industry. Its more than 63,000 members in over 100 countries include shopping centre owners, developers, managers, marketing specialists, investors, retailers and brokers, as well as academics and public officials.
As the global industry trade association, ICSC links with more than 25 national and regional shopping centre councils throughout the world, including the SACSC. Five qualifications across various fields for the shopping centre industry will now be accessible in South Africa and recognised worldwide.
The qualifications are the Certified Shopping Centre Manager, Certified Marketing Director, Certified Leasing Specialist, Certified Development Design and Construction Professional and Certified Retail Property Executive.
"By introducing these qualifications, we're also tailoring our education to ensure workshops, courses, webinars and all our interactions support the ultimate achievement of international accreditation. We're also ensuring South African's can complete on the world stage," says Stops.
She adds: "As retail in South Africa becomes more global, with more international retailers entering our market and our own property professionals pioneering in new markets, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, a truly global perspective is needed. International accreditation is more meaningful than ever before."
In a first for our country and Africa, 11 professionals from South Africa joined the ICSC's 2014 class of certified professionals from Australia, Canada, India, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and United States.
Earning the prestigious professional, and internationally recognised, qualification for Certified Marketing Director are Doug Mayne of Primedia Lifestyle, Linette Imrie of Pareto/The Kitchen Sink and Vanessa Fourie of Purple Plumm. Achieving the Certified Leasing Specialist qualification is Preston Gaddy of Broll and Gavin Tagg of Retail Network Services.
Vanessa Blevins of Growthpoint Properties qualified as a Certified Shopping Centre Manager. Marius Muller of Pareto, Nomzamo Radebe of JHI and Peter Levett of Old Mutual have earned the qualification of Certified Retail Property Executive, while Lisa Blane of KMH Architects and Gavin Tagg of Retail Property Network Services have joined the ranks of Certified Development, Design and Construction Professionals.
"We are over the moon at the achievements of this first class of South African graduates. They can stand head and shoulders with the world's top retail property professionals in their fields," says Stops.
