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skills Centre
ABOUT
The Ithuba Skills Centre (ISC) offers low-threshold vocational training that aims at enabling participants to enter the informal and formal labour markets. Our target group are early
school leavers and out-of-school youth. Many of the participants are the parents or legal guardians of our learners.
Our short learning programmes builds on the previous experiences and needs of our participants. We follow a practical, project-based learning approach that aims at vocational
and entrepreneurial competency, skills for life and personal development. Our approach also encourages reflection on the social, economic and political order in which participants
aim to make a living.
At the ISC, we offer three areas of skills training:
40 sewing machines are available to participants during our basic and advanced training. Each of these last five months. Our graduates’ typical business activities include the production of fashion items and the provision of services needed by the community (e.g. creating garments and accessories, making alterations).
Several of our students have begun manufacturing and selling products after graduation, showcasing not only the physical skills gained, but an understanding of how to form your own business.
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Fashion Design
and sewing(FDS)
In the ISC building yard, we offer basic training in bricklaying and woodwork, each lasting 6 weeks. Participation in both courses aims at enabling participants to provide construction services to the local community (e.g. building, extending or renovating local buildings). The woodwork course focusses on making furniture and other wood-based products.
The woodwork course offers specific knowledge and the opportunity to learn a new skillset, which can form the basis for self-employment.
Building and construction (BC)
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information and
communications technology (ICT)
This course lasts 5 months and follows the curriculum of the International Computer Driving License. It is offered as a single module or in addition to our fashion and construction classes. It enables participants to provide ICT-based services to members of the community (e.g. typing CVs, restaurant menus, etc.).
Participants on each course are awarded with a certificate of attendance. This outlines the number of training hours and describes training content, which relates to specific learning outcomes. In keeping with our low-threshold approach, our programmes are non-accredited to allow for flexible training content. This is selected in dialogue with participants and tailored towards their specific experiences, needs and interest.
At ISC we focus on entrepreneurship competence. We define this as the ability to develop and implement ideas based on opportunities, through which value for others is created – not only financial but also social, cultural, ecological and civic value. Thus, entrepreneurial activity does not only mean the development of a successful business but also initiatives which benefit members of the community (e.g. food gardens, reading clubs, cleaning campaigns, etc.)
ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION
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Business
incubator
The BI supports graduates of our courses in developing business ideas, products or services for their customer base. Participants receive coaching, a free workspace and access to our equipment (machines) for a period of up to 12 months. During this time, they can produce and save their profits to purchase equipment with which to start a home-based business.
Our graduates are regularly invited to free workshops with external trainers, who introduce them to new techniques in the fields of sewing, visual arts, printmaking etc. These workshops enable participants to develop new skills, boost creativity and learn with and from industry professionals. The BI targets the informal sector of local communities.
Business incubator
Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
