Sol Plaatje University’s (SPU) Learning and Development office hosted a warm and welcoming staff orientation programme over the course of two days for 61 new employees from 7 – 8 March 2023 at the SPU South Campus Multipurpose Hall.
SPU is proud and dedicated to being a university critically engaged in learning, research and development – while enhancing democratic practice and social justice in society. Therefore, it is of paramount importance for the institution to introduce and guide new employees as they start their career journey with SPU to propel them towards a future that will set the foundation for success and growth, not only at SPU but also in the Northern Cape and surrounding communities at large.
The orientation programme allows new employees to get acquainted with core company values, gain a wealth of knowledge in SPU’s executive and operational portfolios, meet new colleagues, and pose work-related questions to staff or academic staff members during the two days.
The Vice-Chancellor and Principal of SPU Prof Andrew Crouch welcomed them to the SPU family with an important message: “The university has positioned itself amid a social justice project, a university critically engaged with its communities. Here at SPU, we place much importance on the values of ubuntu, mutual respect, equity, innovation, accountability, excellence, and efficiency. I am personally interested in an innovative university, that promotes formal and informal learning and training. Employee development is pivotal at this institution. I encourage all staff to always improve themselves through education and training and get to know what options are available to them, even at our own institution. May I remind you that, you have a crucial role to play in helping students and staff overcome challenges and achieve great success.”
Ms Chané Kruger, Manager for Learning and Development in the Human Resources (HR) department, congratulated the employees for joining the SPU family and reminded them why they made the right choice in joining this young university in the new democratic South Africa in the diamond city of the Northern Cape, Kimberley. “Sol Plaatje University is the university of choice due to older universities being more traditional with rigid rules. They tend to react slow to change and innovation. Our University, strategically positioning itself as a digitally empowered university, embraces change, and innovation and allows employees to create a legacy in that space.”
Ongoing Training and Upskilling
SPU offers an array of development programmes for all employees though upskilling and training opportunities, through the Centre for Teaching, Learning, and Programme Development (CTLPD). The Centre has identified training interventions for each academic profile/position to assist in career planning.
Another development programme offered is the HR Learning and Development programme, an accredited training intervention offered to employees based on their training needs and possible development areas. The Learning and Development team will also invite nominations for other essential training interventions besides those identified in the Workplace Skills Plan.
The HR department encourages new SPU employees to spend time learning about their new work environment, asking their new team members questions, and to bring positive energy to the work environment.
