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The Coega Development Foundation (CDF) is a non-profit company and a subsidiary of the Coega Development Corporation. It houses the Coega Skills Development Centre, Driver Training Programme, and Maths and Science Programme, amongst its key initiatives.  The CDF’s steady growth has continued to be impressive in the 2018/19 financial year with more than 1133 people, particularly youth across the Eastern Cape Province, receiving training through its various training interventions.

“The CDF has enabled a significant shift towards an alleviation of dearth of skills and unemployment in the Province and beyond. Our focus shifted to strengthen partnerships with Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), particularly the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA) and the Chemical Education and Training Authority (CHIETA), Local Government (District Municipalities, in particular) and non-construction companies,” said the Head of Coega Development Foundation, Mzoxolo Dube.

The CDF offers accredited learning programmes that culminate into credentialed qualifications, ranging from part Qualifications, National Certificates at various National Qualifications Framework (NQF) levels, to Artisanship in the Civil and Built Environments, Electrical and Mechanical fields.

The learning programmes are accredited by the CETA, Mechanical Engineering and Related Education and Training Authority (MERSETA) and the Quality Council for Trade and Occupations (QCTO).

The CDF utilizes a two-pronged service delivery approach as its delivery model, i.e., the onsite and offsite training. The onsite training is undertaken at clients’ premises using purpose-built mobile training platforms and the offsite training is conducted using the state-of-the-art workshops at the CDF facilities at Coega in Port Elizabeth. In addition, the onsite training is mostly confined to short courses or part Qualifications, whereas the offsite training offers full Qualifications through training learning pathways that encompass Learnerships and National Occupational Certificates.

“Coega has been developing skills for unemployed people as part of its vision to advance socio economic development in the region and to fight the scourge of unemployment and underdevelopment,” said Coega’s Head of Marketing, Brand and Communications, Dr Ayanda Vilakazi.

Specifically, the CDF offerings include the following:

a) Short courses that are modules extracted from traditional apprenticeships combined in permutations that address needs that are popular with a wide range of clients and partners. The average course duration is between 5 and 20 days. Short courses are offered in welding; fitting and turning; hydraulics; pneumatics; electrical; bricklaying plastering; carpentry; plumbing; painting and decorating; pipe laying; paving; tiling; basic hand skills; electro-hydraulics; electro-pneumatics; joinery; mortar and concrete mixing works; glazing and handy man (multi-skilling building/construction works). Participants completing these courses and satisfying minimum requirements receive Institutional Certificates of Attendance;

b) Skills development programmes and stand-alone unit standards are credit bearing learning interventions that leads to a statement of results from accrediting SETAs. Currently, the CDF offers skills programmes in welding workshop assistance; components fabrication and welding; gas tungsten and metal arc welding skills; welding machine operator; basic shielding metal arc welding in all positions using jigs; basic welding skills and gas cutting; basic welding skills; basic fabricated skills; basic gas tungsten art welding & forming of sheet metal skills; basic shielding and metal art welding skills;

c) Learnerships are accredited unit standard-based full qualifications and the CDF currently offers the following:

·           MERSETA Accredited: National Certificate for Welding Application and Practice NQF L2-4; and National Certificate: Engineering Fabrication NQF L2-4.

·           CETA Accredited: National Certificate for Community House Building; and a National Certificate for Building Construction and Civil.

·           TETA Accredited: National Certificate for Professional Driver NQF L-3.

d) Apprenticeships under NAMB/QCO are generally of a 3-year duration and culminate in a trade tests. The CDF currently holds accreditation for the following eight learning pathways: painting & decorating; joinery and wood machining; plumbing; bricklaying; carpentry; plasterer; painter; and millwright. Competent learners undertake a trade test and, once successful, qualify as Artisans in their respective fields;

e) The National Occupational Certificates are a 3-year credit bearing learning pathway comprised of knowledge, practical and work integrated learning components. The CDF currently holds seven valid accredited qualifications: Fitting & turning; welding; electrical; millwright; plumbing; bricklaying; and carpentry;

f) The flagship Coega Maths and Science programme is an intervention that targets learners from previously disadvantaged communities, and provides a second chance for matric learners who failed or with poor matric results in Maths and Science. The programme provides support to Grade 12 learners by helping them to improve their Maths and Science results to levels that enable them to access institutions of higher learning programmes; 

g) The Driver Training Programme (DTP) is an intervention that provides codes 8, 10 and 14 learners and drivers’ license training as well as a 12 months Professional Driver learnership. This programme provides an opportunity for graduates, women, persons with disabilities, domestic workers, and unemployed youth to obtain a driver’s license, which improves their chances of finding employment. Candidates are also provided with transport for booking tests and vehicle hire for drivers’ license testing; and

h) Through partnerships, the CDF builds and upgrades Early Childhood Development (ECD) physical infrastructure in rural areas, informal settlements and townships. The CDF also facilitates capacitation of child minders, teachers and governing structures.

Issued by The Coega Development Foundation