Graduation June 2019

 

In June 2019 we proudly awarded 183 certificates to 143 participants of our training programmers; while we also celebrated an increase to 79% in the percentage of graduates who became economically active after the completion of their training. 

We commenced the proceedings by awarding certificates to our first Home Management & Hospitality course graduates who achieved their results under the professional tuition of Elizma Saunders.   

Elizma played an instrumental role in the successful implementation of the pilot project of this course. With her extensive hospitality industry experience, our students were well equipped with the competencies needed for employment in the hospitality industry as housekeepers, waiters and kitchen assistants as they worked their way through 7 weeks of life skills and discipleship, customer service:, safety in the workplace, cleaning skills, laundry skills and basic kitchen skills which include food preparation skills. After being thoroughly equipped in the classroom, learners were given the opportunity to further develop their skills by participating in job shadows and internships with our partners on the project, Evertsdal Guesthouse, Balmorral Lodge, Kolping Guest House, Feathers Lodge, Durbanville Protea Hotel and Villa Cortona Retirement Home. 

The Frail Care course, an intensive 13 week programme  preparing participants for the rigours of caring for the frail and infirm. Before learners were permitted to participate in their practicals, they were required to prove that they had obtained a thorough understanding of the impact of aging on the physiology and anatomy of the human body and that they understand how to safely implement the various procedures that they will be expected to perform.   

The Frail Care programme produced 7 Care Givers of a group of 12 learners who commenced the course during the first term of 2019.  

We are grateful to our ever growing group of partners for providing our trainees with such valuable experience on their practicals. We currently have partnerships with Aristea,Andre van der Walt, Edelweiss, Green Pastures, Bonheur, Fairtrees, Verdi, Boland, Klaradyn,  Oude Westhof and Villa Cortona, Dynamikos, Yarden’s Childrens Enrichment Centre, Iris House and with Deborah Calitz physiotherapy. 

The Basic Business Skills course is offered to individuals who have a desire to start or grow a small business. Over a period of 9 weeks candidates are guided through market research, costing and pricing of products, book-keeping and stock control and end the course by presenting their business plans to FCD’s management.  

Trainer, Ronald Hoskin’s passion for helping people to manage their finances has made a huge impact on us and his students. We simply love the way that Ronald implemented this programme – taking the time to help each candidate apply the business skills in their unique business contexts.   

 

We were thrilled to run a very full and successful Bake for Profit class last semester. 9 of the 10 candidates who commenced the course completed the training successfully. This course is primarily a business course which equips people with a love a baking to earn an income from their baking skills. Over a period of 11 weeks students are taught how to start a baking business, cost their products and understand how to manage the money matters of their business. 

We were grateful that Elaine and Anabela decided to step back into the fold as Bake for Profit trainers. These 2 wonderful ladies, with the assistance of BfP graduate, Janet Links, formed a formidable partnership and ensured that our trainees really got the best of ALL worlds. 

Our job shadow partners, Soet Emporium, Cardamon Pod, Sweet Truth, Pick n Pay Graanendal and Willowbridge, Spar Aurora and Kraaifontein, CaterGold and Bea’s Rusks, made it possible for our trainees to gain valuable work-place experience. We are extremely grateful the Durbanville Presbyterian Church for making their venue available to us for this training. 

18 candidates successfully completed the 10 week Office Basics course during the first quarter of this year. The course equips candidates for an entry level office, reception or call centre position. While life skills, PC skills in all the MS Office applications, Office Practice and Call Centre skills are developed in the classroom, candidates are given ample opportunity to practice their skills during Reception duties after class every afternoon. Nonka Dube, our Office Basics trainer, lead this group to success with the help of volunteers John Yorke and Willy Watson who provided pc skills support, Lee Griffin, who facilitated Office Practice and Call Centre skills and Leilani Gertse, Life skills trainer. 

All our skills development programmes include life skills and discipleship to ensure holistic development of the beneficiaries of our programmes. The Alpha course has become an extremely effective tool in sharing the gospel with our learners. 

We are grateful to the Alpha volunteers, under Mike Moerdijk’s leadership, for passionately and prayerfully bringing the truth of the Word alive to the 83 people who attended our advanced programmes over the past 6 months. 

The Job Readiness trainees, were blessed to receive bi-weekly discipleship from pastors from various churches in Durbanville. We are grateful for the long standing relationships we have with Grant Hopkins and the Protea Valley Church, Mark Parris and the Durbanville Community Church, Tinus van Zyl and the Durbanville Dutch Reformed Church, Sean McGuigan and the Durbanville Methodist Church and Sharrol Ramo…..(find surname on volunteer notes) and Common Ground Durbanville. 

 We added the English programme to our course offerings just over a year ago to empower people to communicate with confidence in the workplace in English, a 2nd or 3rd language to many of our beneficiaries. While this course is yet to gain in popularity, we do believe that it is important that we help individuals to gain access to opportunities (albeit further studies or employment) which they would not be able to with an English language deficiency. Over the past 6 months …. People have participated in the English course. 

Despite the Job Readiness prograamme being a relatively short course, we are always overwhelmed by the impact of this course on its participants.  

Learners from various walks of life, ages and levels of experience, are taken on a journey of self-discovery and growth as they work through the Learn to Earn Life skills modules developing self-esteem, improving relationships and creating community awareness before developing the skills needed for job searching and being effective in the workplace. 

Customer Service training offers practical guidance on dealing with customers, teamwork and maintaining a positive attitude, while the Basic Computer training ensures that learners have the skills needed to actively search and apply for jobs online. 

 Candidates are then given a very valuable opportunity to practice these skills at a job shadow with one of our partners – Pick n Pay Graanendal, Pick n Pay Willowbridge, Spar Kraaifontein, Spar Aurora, Mica Durbanville, Medicare Pharmacy Durbanville, Markham, Pep Stores and Mr Price (through the Jumpstart programe). For many learners, this is a very first exposure to the workplace, which we hope will pave the way to placement in the retail industry. 

98 candidates successfully complete the job readiness programme  facilitated at the training centre at the Durbanville taxi rank during the first half of 2019. 

The Job Readiness Programme was also presented at our satellite venues in Fisantekraal and Klipheuwel by life skills trainer Leilani Gertse. 

Sibabale Komanisi, a True South Intern placed at FCD,  really proved his worth to us this year as he stepped up to take responsibility for the pc skills training of the Fisantekraal group. Nkupane Ntswane (Mabhuti) continues to be a champion in Klipheuwel – coordinating the learners travel arrangements and presenting pc skills in the Josiah Trust venue. 

29 candidates completed the Job Readiness training at our satellite venues this year. 

On completion of every course, the trainees nominate the candidate that they believe made the most positive impact on the class.  

The sunshine awards go to the individuals who brought sunshine into the class by their positive attitude, active participation and contribution to the well-being of others.  

While the learners nominated the Sunshine awards, the trainers and staff also have an opportunity to nominate learners for an award and choose the learner who throughout their time in training and the time thereafter demonstrated the most motivation to succeed. 

 

The success of our Job Readiness Programme – and the centre in general -  is largely a result of the incredible amount of community involvement in the facilitation of this training. We have a total of 112 volunteers who are actively involved in facilitating training, providing services, praying for the centre and the trainees and helping out wherever needed. We value the contribution of each individual and are grateful to God for so generously supplying all our needs. 

A special word of thanks goes to the Discovery volunteers who served us so graciously at the ceremony; to the NG Bergsig church for hosting the event; to all donors & partners who attended the celebration; to Checkers for the donations of gift vouchers; to the staff  for their hard work and dedication; and most importantly to our graduates.