By Graham Norris
The Jigsaw Group, one of South Africa's biggest real estate players, has achieved an industry first by signing an agreement with the property chamber of the Services Sector Education and Training Authority (Seta), to launch an accredited training academy aimed at transformation in the real estate industry.
The academy, which will begin with 1 750 learners, will be housed in Jigsaw's wholly owned subsidiary, Development Institute and Training Academy of Southern Africa (Ditasa). "Ditasa is set to change the face of the industry," said Jigsaw CEO Neville McIntyre at its official launch this week. "It is a practical solution to raising the standards through transformation in an industry that currently boasts more than 40 000 registered estate agents alone."
McIntyre said 1 100 of the learners in the initial intake came from Jigsaw's own network, while the remaining 650 were all from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. He said while Ditasa would be administered from Johannesburg, the training would take place throughout the country. "We are determined to uplift the entry level to the benefit of the consumer and the stakeholder, and accordingly have developed the most advanced NQF (National Qualifications Framework) qualifications in the industry. Working in conjunction with Seta objectives, our qualifications will go up to management level," he said.
Owned, managed and controlled by the Jigsaw Group, which comprises Realty 1 Elk, Aida and ERA, Ditasa will offer a nationally recognised qualification endorsed by the Estate Agency Affairs Board (EAAB), said McIntyre. The Ditasa infrastructure, which is already in place, comprises five distinct sectors which include training, human resources, management information systems, strategic development and a call centre. "Our intention is to provide each agent with the opportunity of holding a nationally recognised and accredited qualification," said McIntyre. "It is anticipated that once the real estate charter is in place, estate agents will not be able to practise or write the industry board exam unless they are officially accredited."
McIntyre said that in addition to offering elevated levels of brand-specific training to members, Ditasa would also handle staff recruitment on all levels, manage and co-ordinate workplace skills plans and skills development in line with the requirements of the Department of Labour, and assist in the recovery of up to 65% of all skills levies paid by franchises to the government. "Ditasa has formalised a number of processes and created an unequalled support platform for franchisees to be able to deliver service excellence," he said, adding that Ditasa had also put together "possibly the most comprehensive data base on residential properties within South Africa".
Containing a host of industry information including turnaround times and sales figures, the system will allow members to generate a range of leading edge reports for themselves and their clients, he said. The new system will also help both principals and agents with the comprehensive management of their activities to ensure professional delivery towards their client base. The initiative comes on the back of the biggest housing demand that the country has yet experienced, said McIntyre, adding that he expected the demand to continue for the next 24 months at least.
"The country is experiencing its lowest interest rate in the last 30 years, its highest economic growth in the last 50 years and the largest entry into the market place by an up and coming black middle class," McIntyre said. "Total residential real estate sales amounted to about R128 billion last year, of which emergent buyers contributed 18.2% or just over R20bn, a significant amount when compared with the previous year where emergent buying comprised just about 6% of the total." McIntyre predicted growth in excess of 25% in this market over the next 18 months.
He said the Jigsaw Group, which had exceeded R6.5bn in sales volumes during the last 12 months, intended to position itself as an industry leader in this field. For more information, contact the Jigsaw Group on 011 880 4063.This article was originally published on page 10 of The Cape Argus on May 29, 2004
Publisher: The Argus
Source: The Argus
Jigsaw Group launches SETA accredited training academy
Posted On Friday, 28 May 2004 02:00 Published by eProperty News
The Jigsaw Group, to launch an accredited training academy aimed at transformation in the real estate industry.
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