In a bygone era, a matric pass, together with a bit of work experience, was enough to assist South Africans in securing a job. That era however, has passed and higher education is just not enough to prepare individuals to enter the workplace. In many instances, a tertiary qualification has become a mandatory requirement for job applications and career development. With this reality in mind, MiLearning, a pioneering force in education training and development was started by Wynberg resident, Mooneera Isaacs. Now, a decade later, the learning and development consultancy celebrates 10-years of business growth as a local, BIPOC, women-owned and run SME, providing continuous support and guidance to adult learners throughout their journey towards obtaining formal certification and career development.
With the grand anniversary event held at the exclusive Cafe 51 in Woodstock, Cape Town, the milestone occasion brought together industry leaders, partners, clients, former graduates, family and friends from as far as Botswana, to reflect with heartfelt gratitude, on a decade of impact, growth and success in transforming lives through education.
The Woman Behind the Business
“I never thought I’d have a business of my own. I started studying after 40 and then became an entrepreneur at the age of 45. For the first 7 years, I was alone; a one-woman team facilitating all the training. Today we’ve grown to a team of 7 facilitators, delivering training across provinces in South Africa as well as in the Middle East most recently thanks to the integration of technology and online learning,” shares Mooneera Isaacs, founder and Director of MiLearning.
From completing her facilitator and moderator’s qualification, to becoming an assessor, an entrepreneur, and most recently, deciding to study further towards a Master’s qualification, all while running a business and fulfilling her duties as mom and wife to her family, Isaacs credits her success as an entrepreneur to her faith, her family and doing business with people who believe in the work that MiLearning offers.
“I have always believed that what is meant for you, will find you at the right time and so instead of focusing on what other competitors in the market are doing, I have always chased my own vision and goals for the business and delivered excellent service to our clients and learners. Investing in the relationships I’ve built is something that is also very important to me, and that has worked well for me doing business over the years,” she explains.
The celebration was marked by a vibrant atmosphere, with attendees enjoying a morning of engaging speeches, networking, interviews, delectable eats and entertainment. Cafe 51, known for its stylish ambience and excellent service, provided the perfect backdrop for the festivities and the grand reveal of the new and invigorated MiLearning brand identity and strategic direction for the next chapter.
Speakers included:
· Dr Kariema Price (PhD, MBA), businesswoman, lecturer and entrepreneurship coach
· Mooneera Isaacs, founder and Director – MiLearning
· Patrick Kleinbooi, Managing Director – Shipping and Transport College South Africa
· Toshca Gilliland, MiLearning Operations Manager and graduate
· Insaaf Isaacs, Nursing graduate and daughter of Director, Mooneera Isaacs
Not Another Tick-Box Exercise
Established with the vision to empower individuals by providing greater access to communities to further their learning and training, MiLearning offers a diverse range of formal accredited qualifications:
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EDUCATION & TRAINING
Facilitator Training – NQF Level 5
Assessor Training – NQF Level 5
Moderator Training – NQF Level 6
Develop Outcomes-Based Learning Materials – NQF Level 4-6
Skills Development Facilitator – NQF Level 4-6
On-the-Job Coaching – NQF Level 3
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INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
End-User Computing – NQF Level 3
Introduction to MS Excel – NQF Level 2-4
Introduction to MS Word – NQF Level 2-3
Introduction to MS Powerpoint – NQF Level 2-3
Introduction to MS Outlook – NQF Level 2-4
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BUSINESS SERVICES
Business Administration Services – NQF Level 4
Business Practice – NQF Level 1
Management – NQF Level 3
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QCTO
Occupationally Directed Education Training and Development Practices – NQF Level 5
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It is however, the brand’s innovative culture and personalised learner approach, that has been the unique differentiator for the MiLearning team, and a key factor in understanding how this all-women led team of four, has been able to reach the 10-year mark in sustainable business growth.
“We don’t just deliver training as a tick-box exercise, we support businesses to meet their skills development requirements. For us, that’s about building a relationship with each person who comes through our doors. We are there to make sure we prepare our students for their very best, providing them with the support they need to finish what they started, ” said Toshca Gilliland, MiLearning Operations Manager, who was once a student of MiLearning herself before joining the team after graduating.
Committed to Reaching the Finish Line
With research data indicating that 50% of students enrolled in higher education institutions drop out in their first three years, and the country’s graduation rate reported as low as 15%, making South Africa the lowest ranked in the world, having an understanding of the determinants of successful throughput for adult education programmes is critical and another success factor for the MiLearning team who report a 95% average rate of students who complete their qualifications within the allotted time. “We are very good at making sure our students submit all their course work and a portfolio of evidence required for certification on time, and that they receive their certificates timeously after submission,” expressed Gilliland in her address on the transformation and significance of the rebrand.
Isaacs wrapped up her CEO’s address at the 10-year anniversary expressing heartfelt gratitude to clients, partners, family and friends, for their ongoing support over the years leaving guests with a quote from world-renowned motivational speaker and author, Zig Ziglar, “Gratitude is the healthiest of all emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for. Building MiLearning into the business that it is today has been a journey of personal and professional development for me over the last 10 years. Transitioning from M.I. Learning & Development Consultancy to MiLearning symbolises a shift from my individual vision and identity, to a collective business identity inspired by the people behind the scenes, who drive the business with me, and encompassing our learners taking ownership of their personal learning journeys, both those currently with us and those still to come,” comments Isaacs.
For more information on MiLearning and their offerings, visit the website or follow the updates on the official social media channels below.
Instagram: @milearning_training
LinkedIn: MiLearning Training
Facebook: MiLearning
Website: https://milearning.co.za/
