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INITIATIVES

PSD has, since its establishment, trained more than 1 700 people the majority of whom have been recruited from Alexandra. To ensure efficient delivery of sustainable vocational training initiatives, it has formed a number of partnerships with the following organisations and agencies

• EU/CETA – Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Phase I and II
• EU/CETA – Emerging Contractor Development
• CETA – Learnership Programmes at NQF Levels III and IV
• Provincial Department of Housing/Department of Labour – Alexandra Renewal Project (ARP)
• “Men on the Side of the Road” Project based in Cape Town
• Johannesburg Metro Council/Growth Laboratory – Evaluation and Trade Test Preparation and RPL.
• Builders Warehouse-CSI Programme
• Brait Private Equity Foundation-CSI Programme
• Department of Labour-Training for the Unemployed (TUP) Programmes
• Investec Foundation
• The Ackerman Pick n Pay Foundation
A new Primedia Skills Development Centre is also to be established in Cape Town.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Alexandra Renewal Project Trade Training Programme (in conjunction with the Provincial Department of Housing)

The initial training contract, approved by the Department of Labour (DoL), in conjunction with the Alexandra Renewal Project (ARP) was completed in 2007. Under this programme 150 trainees have been trained in a variety of trades. Most of these have also been placed in employment through the PSD placement programme.

Johannesburg Metro Council

PSD has provided Section 28 “Trade Test Preparation” training programmes for the Facilities Management Department of the Johannesburg Metro Council. Recently PSD also entered into a partnership with the “Growth Laboratory” to provide Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) services as part of the City of Johannesburg “Skills Hub”.

Builders Warehouse

PSD has developed a strong relationship with Builders Warehouse and has become integrated into their CSI strategy. Recruits to this programme complete a vocational training programme in a variety of trade disciplines for 25 days, followed by on-the-job training for a further 25 days. The on-the-job component involves selected renovations at a school in Alexandra. On successful completion of the training programme the recruits are interviewed by Builders Warehouse with a view to future employment in their stores. The remaining trainees are given the opportunity to be placed in employment with various companies in the Building and Construction sector through PSD’s placement programme in conjunction with “Men on the Side of the Road” (MSR).

Investec Foundation

PSD has recently completed renovations at the Reoligile High School in Alexandra funded by the Investec Foundation. PSD hopes that this relationship will develop further and allow the undertaking of similar projects in Alexandra.

Brait Private Equity

Following the completion of a training programme the recruits are offered employment opportunities through the placement service and are also encouraged to establish a company to engage in sub-contracting activities associated with the various housing projects in Alexandra. On completion of this training programme the twelve (12) recruits established a fledgling registered company, Paraclete Construction, and secured a sub-contract with Gamont Housing to build ARP housing. They have successfully completed two houses.

“Men on the Side of the Road”

In 2007 PSD engaged in a partnership with “Men on the Side of the Road” (MSR), a Cape Town based nonprofit company, to provide placement services in the Johannesburg Metropolitan area. Employment opportunity and the associated experience it offers has always been a key value added aspect of our training services. Therefore our partnership with MSR has allowed us to considerably expand this important service. This year alone we have generated more than 15 000 work days of employment for our trainee’s through various employment placements with a variety of companies in the Building and Construction sector. Through this service both PSD and MSR is contributing meaningfully to the alleviation of unemployment in South Africa.

Computer Training

All recruits following PSD’s vocational training programmes are offered the opportunity to complete a computer literacy course. The programme is designed to develop computer application skills through the costing of a small residential house and the presentation of those costs to a potential client. Funding for this value added service has been provided by the Ackerman Pick n Pay Foundation.

Impumelelo Innovations Award Trust

Following submissions to the Impumelelo Innovations Award Trust in 2004 and 2006 PSD was awarded two recognitions from the Trust for its work in alleviating poverty in South Africa through the provision of training and employment opportunities. PSD also features in a booklet published by Impumelelo as one of 14 case studies relating to skills training and employment.

Department of Labour-National Skills
Development Good Practice Awards

PSD has also been nominated for an award to recognise excellent achievers in various skills development categories and to celebrate the first two years of the National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS). This award will be presented in October 2008.

INTERESTING FACTS AND FIGURES

Head: Jamie Hardisty, MD
Director: Thomas Sithole
Employees: 15 (permanent)
BEE Credentials: Section 21 CSI not for profit company