Affinity People Development
Affinity People Development was founded in 2016 by Valencia Ellse, a seasoned Skills Development Specialist with over 30 years’ experience in the field.
She cut her teeth in the sector while working for the Business Studies Unit, Natal Technikon (now DUT) back in 1991, where she worked in varying capacities under visionary leaders for over 12 years. During this time, she completed a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) through the University of Wales. Her interest in the Skills Development Act and Levies Act, led to her researching the response of industry to these Acts culminating in her thesis topic entitled: "Paradigm Shift" at the Crossroads of Education and Business in South Africa.
In 2008, Valencia moved to Cape Town to establish a corporate training academy for a rigid plastic packaging manufacturer with a national footprint. In her nine years with the company, she built and grew the institution, leading many exciting innovative projects: namely managing the development of seventy fit for purpose courses; developing what became a much sought-after Work Readiness Programme for matriculants; and being one of the first to successfully implement the Foundational Learning Competence. Further successes during this time included internally rebranding Adult Education and Training (AET) to attract greater interest; and lobbying for the development of a new qualification under the banner of QCTO. This led to her involvement in the Community of Expert Practitioners and experience in developing a new qualification.
In 2017, Valencia opened Affinity People Development, gaining accreditation with Services SETA. Working in the training space it very soon became evident to her that many organisations were struggling with the interrelatedness of Skills Development, Employment Equity and B-BBEE. This led to the establishment of a consulting division providing an integrated approach to these compliance requirements, and further assisting companies to optimise the implementation of each.
In 2023, Affinity People Development acquired accreditation with QCTO as a Skills Development Provider (SDP).
Accreditation Number: 01-QCTO/SDP120923155741
Valencia is a member of the Association of Skills Development SA. She served as a member on the Plastics Chamber Board of merSETA for several years. In her private capacity she is a member of the More to Life Community where she served as Chair on the Cape Town Committee in 2017.
Expertise
Affinity People Development is supported by a network of experienced personnel in the sector. All Skills Programmes and Short Courses / Workshops offered by the company are facilitated by experts in their field.
Vision
To contribute to South Africa’s transformation agenda through working hand in hand with business on their transformation strategies, advising on compliance requirements as well as the best possible training solutions to enhance employee performance and improve productivity. To become the preferred supplier of training solutions that yield tangible results, and increase the pool of skills available for real growth in an economy shared by all.
Mission
Through collaboration and consultation with both the private and public sectors, provide targeted relevant and appropriate training, research, and business solutions, with tangible outcomes. To ensure that the services delivered are of a standard that surpasses the clients’ expectations.
Code of Ethics
- To conduct business with utmost integrity.
- To deliver a quality service that exceeds customer expectations.
- To provide solutions that contribute to transformation.
- To deliver trainings solutions that offer tangible tools that can shift individual behaviour and increase business productivity.
- To respect our clients, our suppliers, and internal customers, treating others the way we want to be treated.
- To value our stakeholder contribution, never forgetting that their satisfaction is critical to our business success and continued existence.
- To embrace a philosophy of continuous improvement constantly striving towards best practice solutions.