Economic independence during lockdown

A group of students at the Fisantekraal Centre for Development

The Fisantekraal Centre for Development (FCD) is offering trained employees to work in essential services such as frail care and retail during the national lockdown. 

Since 2000, the organisation has helped people from Fisantekraal and surrounding areas find employment by providing them with training programmes in various sectors, and despite the lockdown, they are ready to send out their latest qualified recruits into the workforce. 

Chantelle Engelbrecht, head of marketing at FCD, said: “We can supply as many staff as required, of course at the moment it is only for essential services such as frail care and retail, but they have all gone through our training programmes so they are ready. A number of recruits have been placed since lockdown, and we are happy to report that they have all adjusted well.” 

Ms Engelbrecht added that placed recruits earned a regular salary and did not pay anything back to the organisation. 

“We are a non-profit organisation that is determined to equip the unemployed and help them become economically active. We supply staff in specific industries free of charge, and we invite companies or individuals to contact us with a list of requirements to which we then supply the relevant CVs. Should the companies wish to hire the individual, they then continue the interview and selection process with the individual directly.” 

An example of a student that has been placed after graduating from one of the FCD classes are Asive Ntshikose, who is now employed at Fresh Stop in Wellington Road, Durbanville, and Ntloheleng Jafta, who is now a cashier at the Checkers in Durbanville. 

Ms Jafta said: “I completed a job-readiness programme at the FCD, and now I am working and earning money for myself and my family. I am very grateful for everything.” 

Ms Engelbrecht said the organisation hoped to find more employment for its students both during and after lockdown. 

“We focus on retail, frail care, entry-level administration and hospitality. Our placement rate for the 2018/2019 financial year was 78%. Unfortunately, our placement rate for this current financial year is still being processed.” 

Companies or individuals looking to contact the FCD for potential employees can email info@fisantekraal.org.za or call and WhatsApp on 078 439 0026.