Mutual & Federal sponsors the development of artisans in underprivileged communities

South Africa is working diligently to address the scourge of unemployment that has gripped the country. Unfortunately, too many South Africans do not have the opportunity to obtain trade qualifications due to financial or other constraints.

Mutual & Federal, one of South Africa’s leading short-term insurers, places great emphasis on supporting initiatives geared towards uplifting and empowering individuals and communities. One of the most successful projects the Company supports is the ITHUBA Project, the brainchild of the STi (Service Through Integrity) Group which adopted its name from a Zulu and Xhosa word meaning ‘opportunity’.

Theo von Solms, the chairperson of STi, approached Mutual & Federal for funding in 2005, and following the launch in 2006, this joint project has been providing artisan skills to young underprivileged learners. The STi Group comprises 13 independently owned motor repair workshops which fall into the Spray Painting discipline selected for training by MERSETA, the SETA for the Motor and Engineering disciplines.

Ray Sanger, the facilitator appointed by Mutual & Federal for the ITHUBA Project says, “We continue to support the ITHUBA Project as we agree with the mandate and objectives it adheres to. This is one of a few artisan training joint ventures between a major insurer and an auto body repair group. We are also happy to assist in fostering skills development among young people.”

The objectives of the ITHUBA Project are:

· To alleviate unemployment among young people from previously disadvantaged communities

· To help learners become employable through skills transfer

· To increase the number of skilled artisans in the automotive repair and maintenance trade

· To prepare learners to meet requirements of industry specific sectors.

Training is offered to candidates who have been selected after completing and passing various assessments. One of the minimum training requirements is a Matric (grade 12) certificate. In addition, each candidate is required to pass a medical exam to confirm that they are healthy enough to cope in a workshop environment.

The programme was developed at the STi Training Centre, in conjunction with the requirements set out by MERSETA. Furthermore, the training models must be registered with the Department of Education and Training, before the training grants can be claimed from MERSETA by the STi Group members. The modules comprise theoretical and practical training, and the theoretical training takes place at the STi Training Centre, a Registered Training Provider based in Killarney Gardens, Cape Town. The practical training is undertaken at the workshops of STi members, under the supervision and mentorship of qualified artisans.

Learners are recruited from the Du Noon informal settlement that is adjacent to the training facility. Managers of the project liaise with community leaders and invite them to nominate suitable candidates for consideration. The candidates selected are required to complete and qualify for their NQF-2 and NQF-3 programmes – which enable them to study further for their apprenticeship trade test. Since its inception, the ITHUBA Project has seen 21 learners qualify for their NQF Level 2 and 18 learners qualify for their NQF level 3. Fifteen of these NQF 3 graduates were employed within the STi Group.

The role of Mutual & Federal is to support the training initiative financially, from the beginning of the training until the completion of the approval and registration process by MERSETA and the Department of Education and Training. To date the company has donated approximately R 770,000 to the project, from the Mutual & Federal Community Trust, and a further R364, 000 has been approved for a new Panel Beating course (NQF 2 ) during 2009/2010.

“The greatest challenge in running this project is working towards keeping the learners focused on the need to qualify. In addition to the facilities provided by the STi Group, we offer the learners the necessary safety clothing and an allowance. With a lot of encouragement we ensure that the learners fully understand the success they can achieve once they are qualified.” concludes Sanger.