The Partnership Imperative
Building Bridges for Student Success
A one-day working conference connecting educators with SETAs, corporates, and training colleges to transform career guidance
Partnership Toolkit Included
Everything you need to build lasting partnerships
Program of the Day
From connection to commitment in one powerful day
Registration & Coffee
Main FoyerCheck-in and collection of your Partnership Toolkit containing MoU templates, contact sheets, and engagement guide.
Opening Plenary: The Why of Partnership
Main AuditoriumWelcome & Context: The crisis of unguided career choices and the power of a connected ecosystem.
Keynote Address:
"Beyond the Classroom: Creating a Village for Career Guidance"
Speaker: High-level representative from SETA, Corporate, or TVET sector
Panel Discussion: The Partnership Ecosystem
Main AuditoriumTopic: "What do we need from each other?" An honest conversation about expectations, challenges, and shared goals.
Exhibition & Networking Session
Exhibition HallVisit dedicated Resource Hubs and collect physical resources AND contact details for future follow-up.
The SETA Hub
Funded learnerships, skills programs, scarce skills lists
The Corporate Hub
Workplace visits, guest speakers, bursary opportunities
The Training College Hub
Course offerings, entry requirements, applications
The Professional Body Hub
Career registration, industry standards, ethics
Networking Lunch
Dining AreaInformal networking. Teachers encouraged to sit with partners met during exhibition. Tables themed by school type.
Afternoon Re-Convene
Main HallQuick recap: "We've collected the 'what' (resources). Now we focus on the 'how' (sustaining partnerships)."
Workshop: Developing Sustainable Partnerships
Main HallFacilitator: Partnership specialist or experienced school principal
Part 1: The Partnership Lifecycle (20 min)
Stages: Connection → Commitment → Collaboration → Continuity
Why most partnerships fail
Part 2: Roundtable Discussions (40 min)
Mixed tables: School, SETA, Corporate, College together
- • "What is the biggest barrier to us working together?"
- • "What is one low-effort project we could collaborate on in the next 3 months?"
Part 3: The Commitment Charter (30 min)
Introduction of one-page Partnership Commitment Charter. Participants discuss and suggest amendments.
The Partnership Commitment Ceremony
Main HallFormalizing the day's work through symbolic commitment.
Resource Handover & Information Sharing Session
Main Hall (Marketplace)"Collect what you need for your students." Teachers leave with physical resources to use in class on Monday.
Materials Available:
The Information Share Huddle (10 min)
Teachers return to school teams to divide materials and plan first week back:
- • "I'll take the Engineering SETA brochures for my Tuesday class"
- • "You take the Bursary applications for Friday's assembly"
- • "Let's create a display board with these posters"
Certification & Closing
Main HallDistribution of Certified Partnership Liaison certificates to all attending educators.
"You now have the materials, the contacts, and signed commitments. Go back and build those bridges. Your students are waiting."
Final Networking: Tea and coffee served. Teachers pack resource boxes. Final conversations and exchange of business cards.
The Partnership Commitment Charter
What each sector commits to
Schools
Designate a 'Partnership Liaison' and provide feedback
Corporates
Provide two 'Workplace Experience' opportunities per year
SETAs
Send updated scarce skills lists and funding deadlines
Colleges
Offer priority information sessions to partner schools
No Student Should Navigate Their Future Alone
Join us in building the bridges that connect education to opportunity
Questions about partnership opportunities?