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Mobile FET Labs

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The Coega Development Corporation (CDC), a leader in socio-economic development, is rewriting the future of the Eastern Cape by empowering youth through skills development to either become employable or self-sustainable.

This year, CDC has announced plans to build on the success of an existing programme offered by its Technical Skills Development Centre.

“We are exploring the idea of mobile Further Education and Training (FET) labs that can possibly offer national qualifications to individuals rural and historically disadvantaged communities, and this idea is in a conceptual phase,” said Mzoxolo Dube, head of CDC’s Technical Skills Development Centre.

The Department of Education has been on record stating the importance of Further Education and Training (FET) colleges as the centre of skills delivery to drive the South African economy, thereby reducing unemployment and improving the livelihoods of millions of South Africans.

Dube said the initiative flows from CDC’s highly successful mobile skills labs initiative.

“Skills development is one dynamic asset of economic growth, social change and poverty alleviation, especially with a vast majority of the youth in South Africa and particularly in the Eastern Cape. We have been running this programme for more than two years now and it feels good to know that we are making a difference in the society,” added Dube.

Technical training and life skills courses have capacitated 3 500 individuals through CDC’s 12 mobile labs that have been custom fitted with the necessary tools and equipment for training.

Around 1 500 people, mainly youth, have received technical construction related training and another 2 000 have received life skills training.

CDC is an implementing agent for various government departments and the CDC’s fleet of hope are present at construction sites of major infrastructure development programmes undertaken by the CDC.

“We prepare local people to take advantage of the opportunities that arise from construction projects. The training we do through the mobile skills labs have been offered across the country where we have standing projects. We have a national footprint that is not limited to urban areas but goes deep into the rural areas of the country such as Matatiele, Qumbu, Mthatha and Ngcobo and of cause here at home in Port Elizabeth,” said Dube.

Technical skills training offered through the mobile labs are unique and include programmes in electrical fields, carpentry and joinery, bricklaying and plastering, painting and decorating, as well as welding and scaffolding.  The programmes in this category last between 20 and 30 days.

The life skills programmes which last two to three days have included classes in first aid, basic financial literacy, HIV Aids awareness and career guidance.

CDC works with Community Liaison Officers (LIO) and Labour Coordinators to conduct skills audit in areas were the construction sites are situated to help identify individuals interested in training.

“Some of the candidates are already employed by contractors. We retain their details on our G2O database,” added Dube.

In keeping with the principle of localised staff and CDC policy, construction companies are compelled to hire 80% of staff from each town where they work. “Coega’s technical training and life skills courses are tailor-made to meet certain provincial strategic shortfalls in the construction industry,” said Dr Ayanda Vilakazi, CDC head of marketing and communications.

“We train community members so they are in a position to either become employable or take ownership of their own upliftment with entrepreneurship as the cornerstone,” added Dr Vilakazi.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.