Eskom graduates to improve their communities

Friday, September 21, 2018

Over 100 Eskom contractors are expected to make a difference in their communities after completing the power utility‘s training geared at skills and enterprise development.

“This training will help these entrepreneurs and their businesses to not only improve their communities but also the South African economy as a whole,” said Eskom Development Foundation chairman Chose Choeu.

The foundation held a graduation ceremony at which 176 Eskom contractors and suppliers received their certificates at the Eskom Academy of Learning in Midrand on Thursday.

The contractors and suppliers received their certificates after completing the eight-month-long Eskom Contractor Academy programme.

“The Contractor Academy is one of Eskom Development Foundation’s key initiatives and part of the organisation’s commitment to enterprise development, skills development, job creation and poverty alleviation.

“The academy has trained a total of 1 311 students since its inception in 2008 and boasts a 97.7% success rate, with a fair gender (59% male and 41% female) and youth (50%) representation,” said Eskom on Friday.

The programme is offered exclusively to Eskom contractors, suppliers and entrepreneurs, who have participated in other Eskom programmes. These are people wishing to improve their skills in project, people and financial management; business sustainability; SHEQ (Safety, Health, Environment and Quality); supply chain management, and legislation and technical acumen, which all form part of the academy’s modules.

“Eskom believes that by equipping small and emerging business people with the necessary skills to build sustainable businesses, the country can begin to effectively address some of its socio-economic challenges.

“By combining both practical and theoretical course work, the academy empowers contractors to be in a better position to negotiate and win lucrative contracts,” said Eskom.

The academy forms an integral part of its social investment programme.

Since 2010, a total of 645 contracts worth over R3 billion have been awarded to students/graduates of the academy. - SAnews.gov.za