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FOOD SYSTEMS

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SOUTH AFRICA’S FOOD LOSS & WASTE INITIATIVE (FLWI)

Client: Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA); Department of Trade & Industry (DTI)
Funder: SA-EU Dialogue Facility 

Pinpoint, in collaboration with Dr Julian Parfitt of Anthesis Group, was contracted to develop a business-led voluntary agreement on food loss and waste in South Africa. This multi-faceted initiative encompassed conducting a gap analysis to assess the existing knowledge of food waste in the country, formulating recommendations for a food waste voluntary agreement roadmap, and development of a business plan for its implementation. Further information on the FLWI can be accessed here.                                  

Food for Us: Reducing food waste using a cellphone app

FOOD FOR US: A CELLPHONE APP TO REDUCE ON-FARM FOOD WASTE

Client: Environmental Learning Research Centre (ELRC), Rhodes University
Funder: UN’s One Planet Sustainable Lifestyles & Education Trust Fund

In collaboration with the ELRC (sustainability and community education specialists) and eight other project partners, Pinpoint provided both a project management and food waste advisory role. The project illustrated the importance of community involvement in technological solution development, understanding local farmer contexts and technical and digital capabilities to develop, trial and scale the use of socio-technical solutions. Further information on the project, and final report can be accessed here.

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SHIFTING CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD CONSUMPTION

Client: WWF South Africa
Funder: UN’s One Planet Sustainable Food Systems (SFS) Trust Fund

Pinpoint was commissioned to examine seafood consumption trends and associated consumer behaviours to inform recommendations on how to strengthen WWF South Africa’s Sustainable Seafood Initiative’s (SASSI) consumer campaign. The research formed the basis of a wider UN One Planet Sustainable Food System project. Drawing on the research, an article on millennials and the key role they play in preserving threatened fish was published in Business Day.                                                                              

Food waste and food loss

FOOD LOSS AND WASTE: FACTS AND FUTURES

Client: WWF South Africa

The broader research project sketched out the state of excessive food waste in South Africa – magnitude, food types and where food waste occurs in the value chain. Pinpoint focused on food loss and waste in the public sector, characteristics of South Africa’s formal and informal food systems, and presented food waste reduction recommendations. This pivotal piece of research is regularly cited within the context of food waste in South Africa. Read the full publication here.                

educing food waste in the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) member countries

REDUCING FOOD WASTE IN OIC MEMBER COUNTRIES

Client: UDA Consulting, Turkey
Funder: Standing Committee for Economic & Commercial Co-operation of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (COMCEC)

As part of a research team, Pinpoint undertook research to understand the scale of consumer and hospitality food waste across Islamic states. Pinpoint led the report writing process, and presented findings to COMCEC to inform their food security strategies. Download the final report here.      

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FOOD WASTE ASSOCIATED WITH SOUTH AFRICA’S HORTICULTURAL PRODUCE EXPORTS

Client: Feedback Global, UK
Funder: The Rockefeller Foundation

Pinpoint undertook research to identify on-farm and packhouse food waste associated with fresh produce exported from South Africa to the UK and United States. Evidence was gathered to assess the scale of the issue, how and why food waste arises, and documented solutions. The study formed part of a series of global case studies on the causes of food waste in international supply chains. 

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MAPPING FOOD LOSS ALONG WOOLWORTHS’ SPINACH SUPPLY CHAIN

Client: WWF South Africa

Pinpoint trialed and adapted the World Resources Institute’s (WRI) Food Loss & Waste Protocol on the retailer Woolworths’ spinach supply chain. Outputs included: 1) a food loss and waste mapping methodology suitable for use in South Africa, and 2) an in-depth understanding of where spinach loss and waste occurs along Woolworths’ spinach supply chain – from farm to customer.

Tenderstem broccoli waste and surplus hotspot mapping for Woolworths

MAPPING TENDERSTEM® BROCCOLI WASTE & SURPLUS

Client: Woolworths

Pinpoint undertook research, from farm through to customer, to provide Woolworths with an understanding of where and why food waste and surplus arises along their Tenderstem® broccoli supply chain. The results provided insights on areas of greatest impact, potential for improvement and solutions to add value to byproduct and surplus.                                                                       

Soft cheese losses and waste hotspot mapping for Woolworths

MAPPING SOFT CHEESE LOSSES & WASTE 

Client: Woolworths

Following food loss and waste mapping exercises on Woolworths’ spinach and Tenderstem® broccoli supply chains, a decision was made to explore a protein-based product. This work unpacked losses and waste along their soft cheeses supply chain, and provided recommendations for improvement. In addition, the model for analysing products with a high moisture content was strengthened.                                   

The global impact of food loss and waste on farms

DRIVEN TO WASTE: THE GLOBAL IMPACT OF FOOD LOSS & WASTE ON FARMS

Client: Anthesis Group, UK
Funder: Tesco & WWF UK

Pinpoint gathered insights to inform case studies on food loss and waste associated with the growing of avocados and citrus fruit in South Africa. This work contributed to a larger project to estimate global farm stage food losses; to analyse the environmental, social and economic impact of associated losses; and to identify food loss drivers and mitigating actions. Download the report here.

Food waste and food loss

HALVING FOOD LOSS & WASTE BY LEVERAGING ECONOMIC SYSTEMS  (FLAWLESS)

Client: Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA); WRAP, UK
Funder: P4G

Following on from the launch of South Africa’s Food Loss & Waste Initiative (FLWI), funding was provided to implement the agreement. Pinpoint provided technical expertise to bring on board signatories, engage with signatories to mitigate losses, assist with annual reporting, and to develop good practice case studies.

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WHOLE APPLES LOSS AND WASTE HOTSPOT MAPPING

Client: WWF South Africa
Funder: Pick n Pay

Pinpoint provided technical expertise to undertake the mapping of losses and waste along Pick n Pay’s whole apple supply chain (from orchard to consumer). The findings provide insights into where and why food loss and waste arises, and presented recommendations for reducing loss and waste in hotspot areas to mitigate impact, and realise opportunities for financial benefit.

STRATEGY & CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

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BEACH CO-OP FUNDING & INCOME GENERATION STRATEGY

Client: The Beach Co-op

Following the impact of Covid-19 on access to funding, and increased organisational growth, Pinpoint worked with The Beach Co-op to review and refine its income generation strategy. This involved identifying core business activities requiring funding, the identification of funders and income generation opportunities, and development of a proactive approach to securing funding.

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ALLAN GRAY ORBIS FOUNDATION CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY STRATEGY

Client: Allen Gray Orbis Foundation; Sustainability Institute, Stellenbosch University

Pinpoint worked with and supported the Foundation to develop an environmental baseline to better understand their energy, water, transport, waste and procurement impacts. Building on the baseline, a set of strategic interventions and targets were developed to monitor impact. 

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MADRON FARMING CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY STRATEGY

Client: Madron Farming

Madron is one of South Africa’s largest growers of premium leafy vegetables. Through a staged process, Pinpoint guided the development and refinement of their corporate responsibility vision, ambitions, objectives and actions against the themes of conservation, community and commerce. The strategy forms a base against which action can be monitored.

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THE LONG RUN FUNDING STRATEGY

Client: The Long Run 

The Long Run is a UK-based not-for-profit, and is one of the world’s largest nature-based business initiatives. It brings together a global community of luxury lodges and private reserves to protect biodiversity and improve the lives of the people where they operate. Pinpoint assisted The Long Run to develop a focused strategy to seek and elicit financial support to realise their ambitions for growth. This involved development of a funder pitch, and identification of potential funding organisations, initiatives and philanthropists that mirror their growth ambitions.                                                                  

Grootbos

GROOTBOS FOUNDATION FUNDING STRATEGY

Client: Grootbos Foundation

The Grootbos Foundation’s vision is to conserve the Cape Floral Kingdom and uplift communities who live within it. They do this through sustainable livelihood programmes, ecotourism, sports development and education. Pinpoint facilitated a series of workshops to align the Foundation’s vision  with a targeted local, national and global fundraising strategy. Outcomes included a list of strategic potential funders, a more informed understanding of their funder audience, a focused approach to accessing funding, and proposal writing training.             

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TSWALU KALAHARI REGIONAL SOCIO-ECONOMIC LANDSCAPE

Client: Nianova / Oppenheimer Generations

Tswalu Kalahari is South Africa’s largest privately-owned reserve. While conservation has been very much an emphasis, Tswalu wanted to enhance their social investments and impact. Tswalu procured the services of Pinpoint to undertake a review of the socio-economic landscape within which the reserve is situated to better understand the perceptions of their current community-related initiatives. This research informed a 5-year sustainability and community strategy from which activities and social impacts could be implemented and monitored.

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CLIMATE RISK ASSESSMENT AND SKILLS ROADMAP 

Client: Strategic Mindsets; Pan African Resources

Pinpoint was commissioned to provide skills expertise to determine Pan African Resource’s skills needs for future Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). This included undertaking a skills audit and gap analysis, and development of a skills roadmap with recommended training programmes for skilling employees in line with sustainability and the just energy transition. This formed a component within a broader set of scenario models for TCFD compliance, and a climate change risk assessment and plan.                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

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FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY SCOPING STUDY & DEVELOPMENT OF A FINANCIAL FRAMEWORK FOR RESOURCING BIODIVERSITY STEWARDSHIP IMPLEMENTATION IN SOUTH AFRICA

Client: Redflank
Funder: South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)

As part of a broader project, Pinpoint provided biodiversity strategy expertise to undertake research to identify and better understand the international and South African biodiversity and conservation grant landscape. This also included the identification of best practice strategy implementation models to inform the development of a financial model for SANBI to enhance biodiversity stewardship in the country.                                                                       

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DESIGNING CLIMATE-COMPATIBLE INDUSTRIAL STRATEGIES FOR SOUTH AFRICA: THE TEXTILES VALUE CHAIN

Client: Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS)
Funder:
Department of Trade, Industry & Competition (the dtic)

Pinpoint was commissioned to lead research to investigate scalable and viable solutions, and a pathway to mitigate climate-related impacts associated with South Africa’s textiles sector. Key areas of intervention identified included: 1) Reduction of hazardous chemicals and improved water management, 2) Optimising manufacturing energy efficiency and consumption, 3) Fibre-to-fibre recycling, 4) Single-use sanitary wear reduction, 5) Adoption of leasing models, and 6) Increasing legal second-hand clothing markets. 

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CGCSA CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTAINABILITY ACTION ROADMAP

Client: Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA)

Pinpoint facilitated, drafted and refined a climate change and sustainability roadmap for the CGCSA and its members. The roadmap’s aim is to enable and accelerate collective and scaled impact. An Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework informed the identification of focus areas and activities of intervention around: 1) Energy efficiency and GHG emissions reductions, 2) Water use efficiency, improved water quality and pollution reduction, 3) Waste management and circular systems, 4) Responsible production and sourcing, and 5) Responsible offerings.

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CGCSA FOUNDATION BUSINESS & IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

Client: Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA) Foundation

The CGCSA Foundation is a not-for-profit Public Benefit Organisation (PBO). Pinpoint was commissioned to develop the Foundation’s business plan to support the execution of their strategy to address and mitigate challenges experienced by CGCSA members and the South African consumer goods industry. Core components included refining a vision, governance structure, HR requirements, focus areas and priority projects, an implementation plan and budget. Pinpoint continues to provide technical services to inform project interventions and plans of action.                       

EVALUATION & RESEARCH

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‘OCEANS ALIVE’ FINAL TECHNICAL REVIEW 

Client: Blue Action Fund, Germany

In collaboration with Baobab Connection, Pinpoint undertook the final project review of a Blue Action funded WildTrust project. The purpose of the project was to strengthen management and expand coverage of the iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area (MPA) to build socio-economic and ecological resilience in the South-West Indian Ocean (SWIO). Through an extensive review of documents and over 80 in-field interviews, the project was assessed against OECD DAC criteria to determine its level of relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and post-project sustainability.                                             

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MID-TERM REVIEW OF THE SOUTH-WEST INDIAN OCEAN FISHERIES PROGRAMME

Client: WWF-Germany

WWF’s South-West Indian Ocean (SWIO) programme aims to facilitate improvements in fisheries governance and to diversify livelihoods in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Through doing so, the intention is to reduce pressure on fisheries resources and marine ecosystems that small-scale fishers depend on. Pinpoint undertook a mid-term review of the Kogelberg component of the project to assess achievements against the project’s planned outcomes and targets, and to provide recommendations to enhance delivery by project end. OECD DAC criteria were used to assess project achievements.     

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BIODIVERSITY HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY MID-TERM REVIEW

Client: Environmental Learning Research Centre (ELRC), Rhodes University
Funder:
South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI); The Lewis Foundation

Pinpoint was commissioned by the ELRC to undertake research on higher education and occupational trends relating to higher education supply (e.g. number of graduates, types of courses), relevant to biodiversity fields. In addition, Pinpoint co-ordinated a skills demand and gap survey with sector stakeholders to evaluate progress on and availability of suitable skills to support South Africa’s biodiversity sector.                                                                        

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VETTING OF COMPLETED RESEARCH REPORTS

Client: Chemical Industries Education & Training Authority (CHIETA)

Pinpoint reviewed and vetted research reports commissioned by CHIETA. We draw on our research expertise to assess the reports for quality, methodological appropriateness and use, literature reviewed and analysis, robustness of findings and recommendations and referencing. This provided CHIETA with a level of quality assurance for when their research is used to make informed decisions.                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Evaluation of the Resource Smart Food Initiative

EVALUATION OF THE RESOURCE SMART FOOD INITIATIVE

Client: WWF Nedbank Green Trust

South Africa’s food system is characterised by market concentration. The aim of the Resource Smart Food Initiative is to intervene to determine actions that could make the system more sustainable. Pinpoint was contracted to undertake a streamlined evaluation of the initiative to ascertain the achievements of intended ambitions, and to present recommendations for future work and/or programme strengthening. The evaluation assessed the programme against performance, focus, niche positioning for impact, viability and value to WWF South Africa and internationally.

External review of WWF South Africa's Environmental Leaders Programme

EXTERNAL REVIEW OF WWF SOUTH AFRICA’S ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS PROGRAMME

Client: WWF South Africa

Pinpoint was commissioned to undertake a review of WWF South Africa’s Environmental Leaders Programme. The aim of the review was to provide an expert opinion and recommendations for the programme’s future. The programme’s performance, focus, niche positioning for impact, viability and value to WWF South Africa and globally were assessed. The review included desktop research and engagement with WWF South Africa staff and external experts.                                                                                                                                                                                                   

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NATIONAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY III REVIEW

Client: Mzabalazo Advisory Services
Funder: Department of Higher Education & Training (DHET)

Pinpoint was commissioned to undertake research to inform two evaluative case studies as part of a broader review of South Africa’s National Skills Development Strategy III. The cases focused on research and innovation support, and programmes targeting youth. Research and interviews were undertaken to evaluate the various research, education and training programmes supported by Sector Education & Training Authorities (SETA’s).

Eco-Furniture Programme: An evaluative review

AN EVALUATIVE REVIEW OF THE ECO-FURNITURE PROGRAMME

Client: Creating Sustainable Value (CSV)
Funder: The Jobs Fund; National Treasury

Pinpoint formed part of a team, led by Creating Sustainable Value, to undertake a mid-term evaluative review of the Department of Environmental Affairs’ (DEA) Working for Water Eco-Furniture Programme. Pinpoint focused on value-add opportunities in the alien invasive vegetation sector. Interviews were undertaken with businesses receiving government funding to clear and use alien invasive vegetation and government officials.                                                                      

SASSI sustainable seafood review

REVIEW OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD INITIATIVE (SASSI)

Client: WWF South Africa

In collaboration with Insight Track, Pinpoint undertook an in-depth review of WWF South Africa’s Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI). The review assessed SASSI’s intention to shift consumers and actors within the seafood supply chain to transition towards sustainable practices. It also assessed achievements, challenges and learnings to inform the programme going forward, and to enhance other WWF South Africa marine programme activities.                              

JOBS & SKILLS

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BUILDING SKILLS ECOSYSTEMS FOR A JUST ENERGY TRANSITION IN THE FOOD & BEVERAGE MANUFACTURING SECTOR

Client: Centre for Researching Education & Labour (REAL), Wits University
Funder:  Food & Beverage Manufacturing Sector Education & Training Authority (FoodBev SETA)

Pinpoint acted as research lead and undertook research to better understand the skills implications of a Just Energy Transition (JET) on food manufacturing through two cases: City of Ekurhuleni’s baked goods sector, and City of Cape Town’s fish and seafood processing sector. Drawing on these cases, the areas of skills intervention  included the need for skills to: 1) build, coordinate and enable a more collaborative and effective skills ecosystem for a JET, and 2) to reduce energy consumption and increase energy resilience. 

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ENERGY HOTSPOTS IN THE FOOD & BEVERAGE MANUFACTURING SECTOR: SKILLS NEEDS FOR ENERGY RESILIENCE

Client: Centre for Researching Education & Labour (REAL), Wits University
Funder:
Food & Beverage Manufacturing Sector Education & Training Authority (FoodBev SETA)

Energy use is one of the largest areas of environmental impact in food and beverage manufacturing. Pinpoint provided food sector expertise and undertook research to: 1) gather insights on climate change and energy trends and challenges faced by South Africa’s food manufacturing sector, 2) identify areas of major energy use along various food supply chains, and 3) identify core jobs and skills required to improve energy resilience in the sector.                                                                                                                                                                                                         

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RAPID SKILLS NEEDS ASSESSMENT IN MARINE-BASED RENEWABLE ENERGY & THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Client: Centre for Researching Education & Labour (REAL), Wits University
Funder:
International Labour Organisation (ILO)

To support the ILO’s green and blue economy agenda in Mauritius and Seychelles, research was undertaken to assess 1) current and emerging skills supply and demand needs for ocean wind and biomass-based renewables, and the circular economy, and 2) skills supply implications for Technical & Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to deliver the relevant skills. Insights suggest a disconnect between technological readiness and skills supply; the need for core versus specialist technical skills; and how best to attract, integrate and skill SMEs and women.                

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SOUTH AFRICAN ENERGY SKILLS ROADMAP

Client: South African National Energy Association (SANEA); Wits Business School 
Funder: Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

Pinpoint’s experience in sustainability and sectoral skills development research was drawn on to undertake research to inform the development of the Energy Skills Roadmap. This included a review of over 200 documents to assess policy drivers and their reference to skills, a review of current skills energy provision in the country, an analysis of over 700 job profiles to assess renewable energy skills demands, and stakeholder engagement. Access the roadmap here.                                                                                                

An assessment of skill supply and demand for renewable energy, energy efficiency and regional energy integration

AN ASSESSMENT OF SKILLS SUPPLY & DEMAND FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY, ENERGY EFFICIENCY & REGIONAL ENERGY INTEGRATION

Client: Centre for Researching Education & Labour (REAL), Wits University
Funder: International Labour Organisation (ILO)

Pinpoint contributed to research to better understand the energy sector context, related activities and impacts, and skills provision within six Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) countries. From this, recommendations were presented to inform the development of a skills strategy to increase the uptake of renewable energy, improve energy efficiency practices and enhance regional energy integration interventions within the region.

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OPPORTUNITIES TO ENHANCE COLLABORATION IN SOUTH AFRICA’S FORESTRY-PRODUCTS BIOREFINERY INNOVATION SYSTEM THROUGH IMPROVED KNOWLEDGE SHARING

Client: Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

Building on her PhD, Nicola Jenkin of Pinpoint, drafted a policy paper for the CSIR on proposed actions South Africa could take to increase the uptake of foresty-based biofuels in the country. The brief provides recommendations on how to improve local networks, skills and capabilities within government, industry, academia and civil society to identify and develop appropriate biofuel products and to increase market take up.                                                                                

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LINKING EDUCATION & WORK IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN ENERGY & WATER SUPPLY SECTORS

Client: Centre for Researching Education & Labour (REAL), Wits University
Funder: Energy & Water Sector Education & Training Authority (EWSETA)

Pinpoint managed this project, and contributed to research, to assess the perceived relevance of education provision through and for work in South Africa’s energy and water supply sectors. Drawing on literature and interviews with sector stakeholders and education providers, the research provided an in-depth understanding of the role of learning through work to enable sustainable economic transformation.                                    

Utilising green manufacture to address youth unemployment & sustainable local economic development

UTILISING GREEN MANUFACTURE AS A TOOL TO ADDRESS YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT & SUSTAINABLE LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Client: Redflank
Funder:
Local Government Sector Education & Training Authority (LGSETA)

Pinpoint was contracted as a researcher to undertake a literature review and stakeholder interviews to gather insights on green economic activity in South Africa, with a focus on waste and energy. Insights were used to provide guidance on where youth employment opportunities could be realised within a local government green manufacturing context e.g. the production of solar PV technologies.                                                                      

Skill needs within South Africa's insurance sector

SKILL NEEDS OF EMERGING SMALL BUSINESSES & COOPERATIVE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA’S INSURANCE SECTOR

Client: Centre for Researching Education & Labour (REAL), Wits University
Funder:
Insurance Sector Education & Training Authority (INSETA)

Pinpoint provided project management and research expertise to delve into the skills needs and challenges faced by emerging small businesses and cooperatives operating in South Africa’s insurance sector. Challenges identified included the need to digitalise, regulation complexity, and ability to adapt during times of uncertainty. Micro-insurance emerged as a significant opportunity for SMEs. 

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ATLAS OF OCCUPATIONS FOR THE MANUFACTURING, ENGINEERING & RELATED SERVICES SECTORS

Client: Centre for Researching Education & Labour (REAL), Wits University
Funder: Manufacturing, Engineering & Related Services Sector Education & Training Authority (merSETA)

The South African manufacturing sector is in a state of transition, which has an impact on jobs. Pinpoint managed the projected, and conducted research, to better understand the impact this transition will have on manufacturing jobs, and to identify which jobs will need to adapt to changing trends. The Atlas provides students, workers and skills planners with a guide to in demand occupations in the metals engineering, plastics, auto, motor trade and tyre manufacturing sectors.

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SADC RESEARCHERS CHALLENGE: COVID-19 & THE TRANSFORMATION OF VET FOR SUSTAINABLE FUTURES

Client: JET Education Services
Funder: UN Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organisation (NESCO)

In partnership with Wits University’s Centre for Researching Education & Labour (REAL), Pinpoint co-led the research challenge. This involved providing methodological and subject-matter guidance to young researchers from six SADC countries. The research documented how skills supported sustainable livelihoods during the initial Covid-19 lockdown in 2020. The research also explored the link between sustainable livelihoods, decent work, skills, knowledge and expertise during a time of major disruption. Access a summary of findings here.                      

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DEVELOPING COMPETENCIES FOR A JUST TRANSITION OF SOUTH AFRICA’S BANKING SECTOR

Client: Centre for Researching Education & Labour (REAL), Wits University
Funder: Banking Sector Education & Training Authority (BankSETA)

Pinpoint managed a research team, and undertook research, to better understand the potential impact of a sustainability agenda and digitalisation on jobs and skills in South Africa’s retail banking sector. Pinpoint focused on digitalisation, providing an evidence-base from which BankSETA set out an action plan to support its members to transition to a digital future. This included assessing which jobs are most likely to be at risk e.g. bank tellers, and which will be in most demand.                                                              

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OCCUPATIONAL STUDY ON GREEN SKILLS IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN PETROLEUM SECTOR

Client: Environmental Learning & Research Centre (ELRC), Rhodes University
Funder: Chemical Industries Education & Training Authority (CHIETA)

Under South Africa’s Green Skills Programme, Pinpoint was commissioned, along with Creating Sustainable Value, to investigate the greening of skills in South Africa’s petroleum sector, with a focus on refineries. The contextual drivers facing the industry, how the industry responds to climate change, and future scenarios were developed and assessed to inform the types of skills and occupations the sector will require to transition to a green economy.        

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UNLOCKING AND RETAINING JOBS IN THE ALIEN VEGETATION ADDED VALUE CHAIN THROUGH INDUSTRIAL SYMBIOSIS

Client: WWF South Africa; Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS)
Funder: WWF Nedbank Green Trust

Invasive alien vegetation is a serious environmental challenge in South Africa. Strategies to clear it have had mixed success. In collaboration with TIPS, Pinpoint undertook research to explore the reasons for the successes and failures, to better understand the job creation and economic potential associated with using alien vegetation as feedstock for manufacturing wood pellets, and use of pellets as a paraffin alternative in non-electrified homes. Access the final report here

Two SAPS members from Alexandria and an official from the department of Forestry and fishing inspect the Abalone that was found on a farm in Alexandria.Picture: Brian Witbooi 25/07/13 ©The Herald

SKILLS AUDIT & NEEDS ANALYSIS FOR MARINE PROTECTION & OCEAN GOVERNANCE

Client: International Ocean Institute-African Region (IOI-SA)
Funder: South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI)

As a green skills specialist, Pinpoint guided the development of a skills research methodology, developed surveys, and undertook stakeholder interviews to better understand the challenges faced by South Africa’s marine protection and ocean governance sector. Drawing on these challenges, an assessment of the skills and capacity required to better protect South Africa’s shores and oceans was undertaken.                                                                         

greencar

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FOR GREEN PUBLIC SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

Client: Environmental Learning & Research Centre (ELRC), Rhodes University
Funder: Public Services Education & Training Authority (PSETA)

Through South Africa’s Green Skills Programme, Pinpoint undertook research, in collaboration with Creating Sustainable Value, to identify the occupations and skills required to support green supply chain management in South Africa’s public service sector. This included an international review of supply chain management practices, value chain and occupational mapping, and development of a case study on public sector procurement of electric vehicles. Download the report here.                                    

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GREEN SKILLS IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN PAINT SECTOR

Client: Environmental Learning Research Centre (ELRC), Rhodes University
Funder: Chemical Industries Education & Training Authority (CHIETA)

Under South Africa’s Green Skills Programme, Pinpoint was contracted to investigate the greening of skills in South Africa’s commercial paint sector. This involved assessing current political, economic, social, technological and environmental trends affecting the sector, and how these impact the sector’s sustainable practices. Insights informed the identification of relevant occupations and skills that will require skilling to adopt sustainable practices within the decorative, automotive and marine paint sub-sectors.