Damien aims to reach new levels in the retail environment and continue growing himself in his profession.
NEW HEIGHTS: Damien Chetty, a Merchandise Allocator at Sheet Street, is determined to climb the ladder of success. Image: MRP Foundation / Pierre Tostee
Jump Start Profile: Damien Chetty
Age: 24
Matriculated: 2013
Tertiary Education: B.Comm (Supply Chain and Finance)
Career Start: Jump Start Professional Retail
Current Position: Supply Chain Coordinator, Sheet Street (Feb, 2020) Previously a Merchandise Allocator
Motto: “I strongly believe that life is filled with challenges that you can choose to see as an obstacle or a lesson to grow you into the individual you aspire to be. We should never let the threat of losing tomorrow keep us from living today.”
For twenty-four-year-old Damien Chetty, the sky’s the limit! The Chatsworth resident graduated at the top of his class in 2019, winning the ‘Cutting Edge’ award for his outstanding achievements and positive attitude in the Jump Start Professional Retail Programme. Upon graduating he was immediately snapped up by a local retailer.
Developed by industry for industry, the postgraduate programme blends classroom and workplace learning, building a bridge from tertiary education into the world of work and teaches graduates how to add real value in the workplace from day one. During the programme, graduates were put through their paces in real-life work situations that deliberately tested their work ethic, attitude and commitment to the course and their career.
Matriculating with five distinctions from Crossmoor Secondary School in 2013, Damien pursued a degree in B.Comm Supply Chain and Finance at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. After completing his degree, he enrolled for the MRP Foundation’s nine-month Jump Start Programme.
“This programme gave me the opportunity to gain access to the world of retail and meet amazing mentors. I grasped a vast knowledge of everything that occurs before a garment is actually seen in a store,” said Damien.
He added that visiting dye houses, cotton mills, CMTs and suppliers taught graduates about products, financial implications and retail jargon, and gave them access to highly skilled facilitators.
Currently working as a Supply Chain Co-ordinator for Sheet Street, Damien says, “Jump Start has literally given my career a jump start and the ability to grow as an individual in both my professional and personal capacity. I gained skills which ensured I would be able to communicate effectively and think critically, creatively and holistically.” According to Damien, some of his responsibilities it to bridge the gap between suppliers and merchants and control the flow and critical path. His past position as a merchandise allocator included ensuring the correct amount and type of stock was sent to the right stores at the right time, analysing past sales history as well as current trade trends.
Damien advises the youth and future Jump Starters to, “Take the leap into a journey, be open to development and change because that will push you out of your comfort zone and beyond your expectations. I strongly believe that life is filled with challenges that you can choose to see as an obstacle or a lesson to grow you into the individual you aspire to be.”
Damien aims to reach new levels in the retail environment and continue growing himself in his profession.
Bianca Mathebula (The ‘Best Fit’ Award and the ‘Hang in there’ Award) and Damien Chetty (The ‘Cutting Edge’ Award) celebrated their achievements at the Professional Retail Programme Graduation. Image: MRP Foundation/ Pierre Tostee
