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In the Hope Africa Collective Trade Skills program, participants will learn the necessary skills to operate an informal handyman business within their community. Should the student wish to engage in further training/apprenticeship, Hope Africa Collective will connect them with some of our partners in the building industry.

Program length: 26 weeks (9 weeks Life Development + 17 weeks practical trades training)

 

Modules of the Trade Skills Program:

All students in the Trade Skills program also complete the entirety of the 9-week Life Development Process prior to moving into practical trades training (included in the Trade Skills course cost).

Life Direction: All students in our Economic Empowerment initiatives begin with a 3-week course focused on life and job readiness. The Life Direction program holistically empowers students to process their past, understand their present, and start planning their future. Communication, goal setting, dealing with conflict, relationships, trust, forgiveness, and substance abuse are some of the topics covered.

Faith Discovery: In our Faith Discovery module we look at the big picture of who God is and His redemptive plan for us. Through looking at our own stories, and experiencing the freedom that Jesus can bring in our life, this course is very natural brings great freedom.

Computer Training: The students learn basic computer skills as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and general Internet usage. The course stretches over 6 weeks with the purpose to prepare the students for further studying or being able to improve their job opportunities.

Oral English: English is the language of business in South Africa, so English skills are highly valued by employers. For that reason, we focus on oral English training, improvement of business-related vocabulary, and job interview practice.

Math Literacy: Being able to get a job in South Africa you need a certain level of math skills. Unfortunately, many schools do not provide a satisfying level of math education. We train our students in basic computational math for the workplace.

Future Preparedness: We aim to inspire and encourage our students to start planning their own future concerning their goals, dreams, choice of job or study. Our program involves detailed goal setting sessions, CV-writing and tutoring in applications processes and entrepreneurship; establishing practical steps to achieve future goals.

Business Literacy: Running a successful business depends not just on having a needed skill, but also on having good business sense. Effective marketing, customer service, and bookkeeping are just a few of the topics covered during this module. There are times of in-class learning as well as out-of-class assignments to see firsthand how successful business are operating.

Trade Skills: The bulk of the Trade Skills program is taken up in time spent learning the theoretical and practical aspect of various trade skills:

• Carpentry – The basics of woodworking as it relates to the building industry. Aspects of roofing, framing, and flooring will be covered. (65%)
• Welding – The basics of welding for use on containers, shacks, burglar bars, gates, and many other items used in the building and trades industry. (15%)
• Plumbing – The basics of learning simple plumbing for sinks, geysers, and other household options within the communities. Learning which pipes, fasteners, and glues to use. (10%)
• Electrical – The basic learning of what is involved in electrical work that a handyman would need to know to problem solve and complete basic requirements. (10%)

* The Trade Skills course is not accredited but will provide basic knowledge that students can grow from and take into future education or business.