Sharlene Herandien heads up the training department at 21st Century. She’s using this position to change the status quo.

Statistics show that in 2016, women in leadership positions in South African business is down to a below-average 26%. In fact, the country has experienced a decline to 23% of senior roles held by women while 39% of businesses still do not have women representation in senior management positions. These are some of the lowest figures South Africa has seen to date.

It’s because of this that women like Sharlene Herandien are so important. Heading up the training department at 21st Century, she is set up to become a role model to other females in the industry.

She explains, “As women, we underestimate our ability to influence people. Young girls today, especially in the public school sector that are from previously disadvantaged communities need women to look up to – women who know and understand the value of working hard and putting in the effort because it all becomes worth it. We need to teach that consistency and integrity are valuable commodities.”

Herandien manages the training department and all training courses, programs and workshops at 21st Century. She also provides administrative services and support to training facilitators and manages projects, sales to budget as well as sales and marketing strategies. Researching the content of learning programs and developing online training courses also falls within her portfolio.

“I enjoy meeting people who are hungry to learn and grow. While most companies book their people on training, I am always impressed by the one employee who wants to pay for the course themselves. It shows true passion and determination for their own education. People who take responsibility motivate me to do the same,” she explains.

It is within this framework that Herandien aims to uplift women in business. She believes in changing, growing and re-inventing yourself in order to change the world. Her favourite quote is by Dr David Malapo: “If you’re not growing, you are dying.”

Working at 21st Century has given Herandien all of the tools that she needs to grow and change the world. She explains, “I love that our company sees the world changing around it and changes along with it. This has made it incredibly relevant in its field. For example, becoming a BEE level 2 company was exactly what was needed for where we are in South Africa and in the market.”

With a long history in the training space, Herandien still feels that there is so much more that she can learn from it. She says, “The legacy I would love to leave behind is to assist a few young girls to complete their studies as well as be active in communities who need assistance with education and development.”

She adds, “You can go so much further if you have the tools that education affords you in life.”

For more information on 21st Century click HERE. 

To talk to 21stCentury and to discuss thought provoking content contributions, please contact Sarah Martin on (011) 467 9233.

Submitted by: Bronwyn Levy / The Lime Envelope
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