Training for entrepreneurs

According to facilitator Saneliso Khumalo, the Business Entrepreneurial Training programme focuses on people from townships who are on the verge of starting businesses.

He told the North Eastern Tribune that the programme would run for 18 months, after which the trainees would be given a qualification called New Venture Creation. He said, “We teach them [trainees] to create new ventures for themselves as well as to take advantages of opportunities presented to them.”

Khumalo added that the programme also sought to link its beneficiaries to businesses and stakeholders who will offer support to their businesses.

The men and women benefiting from the programme are from disadvantaged backgrounds and hail from townships like Alexandra and Soweto.

Khumalo said most of his trainees had already launched small businesses.

He said after the completion of the programme, he is looking forward to hearing success stories from the trainees. “… Even during our sessions, I encourage them to grab opportunities with both hands and to also draw as much information as possible from the theory sessions we have,” said Khumalo.

With eight years worth of experience in business training, Khumalo advised corporates to invest in developing entrepreneurs. He said, “Giving someone the skills and means to start a business for themselves is a lot more sustainable than handing a bowl of soup to them.”

The group meets every Wednesday and training takes place in one of the boardrooms at ORT SA’s Houghton offices.

How do you think corporates can help in developing entrepreneurs?

Tell us by posting on our timeline, North Eastern Tribune or tweet us @NE_Tribune

Add North East Tribune on BBM for the latest news in your community. PIN: 29BEEF78