Despite having to move their skills centre in Durbanville twice since December last year, FCD Skills Centre has been going from strength to strength.
Over the past year, 440 beneficiaries participated in training, with 85% of graduates becoming economically active, says Jane Gelderman, chief executive officer.
“These achievements were made possible through the generous support of funding partners, placement partners, job shadow partners, and our dedicated staff and volunteers, who together impacted more than 2 200 lives through the beneficiaries and their families. Despite South Africa’s youth unemployment rate standing at 62,4%, the centre continues to achieve strong results,” she says.
New building
August specifically was a month of milestones for FCD Skills Centre, marked by its move into a new building. The centre is now situated on the top floor of the building previously known as Queen’s Corner.
The centre had to move in December last year for extensive upgrading of the Durbanville Town Centre, where Shoprite is situated.
The move to the new training centre provides increased capacity and infrastructure to impact more lives, Gelderman says.
The centre can now host up to 50 students at any given time through three spacious training rooms – instead of only two previously, offering a positive and welcoming space not only for students but also for staff and volunteers, she says.
Hub of opportunity and hope
The first programmes kicked off at the new centre on 14 August, including training programmes in job readiness, frail care and office basics.
FCD also continues to run skills programmes and support services at their Fisantekraal branch in Greenville.
“The new space represents more than just growth in size – it is a hub of opportunity and hope,” Gelderman says.
“FCD Skills Centre is deeply grateful to all the funding partners who made the new centre possible through their generous support. Through the increased capacity, FCD looks forward to expanding its impact, equipping more people with the skills they need to become economically active, gain independence, and build stronger communities,” she says.
However, the new premises is still in need of some equipment and furniture, such as outdoor furniture for student break times, a large TV screen for the additional classroom, and indoor and outdoor plants to beautify the centre.
“Donations towards daily supplies are always welcome, such as stationery, copy paper, coffee, tea, sugar and so forth. FCD relies on donations to cover the costs of our programmes in order to address unemployment in a sustainable manner,” Gelderman says. Tax and B-BBEE benefits are applicable to qualifying donations received.
The annual general meeting of FCD Skills Centre, held at Durbanville-Bergsig Church on 21 August, brought together staff, partners, volunteers and guests to celebrate the organisation’s achievements over the past financial year.
The evening featured inspiring stories from three graduates, highlighting the life-changing impact of FCD’s training programmes. Volunteers with 10 years of service were honoured and FCD trainer Adri Neethling received the Chairperson’s Award for Excellence for her outstanding dedication in the past year.
Danielle Jones, chair of FCD Skills Centre, reminded guests that, while the year under review brought challenges, pruning is never an easy process but often leads to greater growth.
“We are already witnessing the fruitfulness of our Master Gardener at work,” she said, giving the glory to God.
. To register for a programme or partner with FCD to impact lives, contact FCD Skills Centre at info@fisantekraal.org.za, 021 975 7764, www.fisantekraal.org.za or visit them at 48 Queen Street, Durbanville, or 73 Silvertree Street, Greenville.
