Fasset’s Exco recently approved R34m in funding for Development Projects, bringing the amount allocated to Development Projects to just over R290m. Funding has been approved for four projects.

Fasset has agreed to fund 140 candidates on the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors’ 2010 Public Practice Exam (PPE) Support Programme.

“The PPE is the final hurdle that candidates need to overcome to qualify as public practice auditors. Having progressed so far in their chosen career, it would be a shame to lose them to the profession, when some structured support could assist them to overcome the final hurdle,” Fasset CEO, Cheryl James explains.

The six-month programme, which includes lectures, assignment monitoring, exam simulations, examination techniques and study skills will run from July to December 2010 in Gauteng, Durban and Cape Town.

Applications open after the 26th February. Visit Fasset’s website for an update in this regard.

Fasset has agreed to fund 30 learners on the twelve-month Pakhamani Work Readiness Programme, delivered by Guarantee Trust Corporate Support Services (GTCSS).

The programme targets unemployed matriculants and those with incomplete degrees or diplomas.

Learners complete a Certificate from the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT), and the Advanced Certificate from the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT).

During the 10-month programme, they also receive work-readiness training before being placed on NQF-Level 5 Accounting Technician Learnerships.

“Offered for the first time in 2009, Pakhamani has impressed. While Fasset is still waiting for the examination results for the Advanced Certificate, I can confirm that 98 out of 100 candidates successfully completed the requirements for the first Certificate exam at their first attempt. Based on these results, we have very high expectations of learners who wrote the examinations for the Advanced Certificate,” James informs.

Fasset has agreed to fund 460 learners on the Bonani Work Readiness Programme, bringing the total number of learners funded to 2 730. This six-month programme is also delivered by GTCSS.

Unlike Pakhamani, this programme targets unemployed black finance graduates with B Com degrees or National Diplomas. Learners are equipped with workplace skills and then placed on Fasset registered learnerships.

The programme will be offered in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town. There is a January and a July intake.

(Should you require further information kindly contact: Johannesburg and Pretoria: 011 466 3312; Durban: 031 701 6702; Cape Town: 021 762 9345).

Fasset has also agreed to fund 100 learners on the Thusanani Work Readiness Programme, bringing the total number of learners funded by Fasset to 940.

Offered by Stanley Hutcheson & Associates in partnership with the University of Johannesburg and Deloitte, the programme targets unemployed graduates in areas such as communication, problem solving, presentation skills, teamwork, and conflict management.

“Thusanani boasts a placement rate of over ninety percent. The high placement rate attests to the need to bridge the gap between university, FETs and the world of work. Rolled out on a large scale programmes such as these have the potential to reduce the number of unemployed graduates in the country,” James observes.

Fasset has funded some 61 Development projects and more than 11 000 learners have benefited.

(Fasset is the Seta for Finance, Accounting, Management Consulting and Other Financial Services).