Embracing Craftsmanship: A Collaborative Endeavor between NBI and the City of Cape Town

The National Business Initiative (NBI) and the City of Cape Town have launched a program to enhance artisan skills in learners, with 31 students accommodated by the Facilities Management department for hands-on training. The initiative is a breakthrough for ambitious young learners seeking to hone their artisan skills and serves as a guiding light for the sector. The program is a stepping stone towards eradicating barriers to economic involvement in the city, with a vision to expand and polish the artisan skills of learners for future employment in the field.

Embracing Craftsmanship: A Collaborative Endeavor between NBI and the City of Cape Town. The National Business Initiative (NBI) and the City of Cape Town launched a breakthrough artisan skill enhancement program to hone artisan skills in learners. Thirty-one learners were accommodated by the Facilities Management department with hands-on training until June 2026. This program is a stepping stone towards eradicating barriers to economic involvement in the city.

The artisan sector witnessed an epoch-making event on the 18th of March, 2024, in Cape Town. The National Business Initiative (NBI) in collaboration with the City of Cape Town launched a breakthrough artisan skill enhancement program. Alderman Theresa Uys, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, graced the occasion, extending a warm welcome to the 31 chosen learners for the programme and highlighting the magnitude of this golden opportunity.

A Beacon of Hope Ignites

The initiative is a fruitful outcome of an accord between the City’s Facilities Management department and the NBI. It serves as a guiding light for ambitious young learners who seek to hone their artisan skills. The department has successfully accommodated 31 learners from the NBI into its structure, bolstered by an understanding with the NBI to financially support the endeavor.

Starting from the 1st of February, 2024, these learners, enriched with theoretical knowledge in fields such as Installation, Repairs & Maintenance, and Welding, have been thoughtfully positioned within the Facilities Management Department. Their contracts extend till the end of June 2026, ensuring an intense period of hands-on training.

Initial Phase and Future Plans

The program’s preliminary phase will last until the 31st of August 2024. During this phase, the NBI will bear the responsibility of remunerating the learners. After August, the City will take the reins, channeling resources to further develop the skills program. This endeavor will guarantee the continuation of the program until June 2026, and during this time, the City will directly compensate the learners.

The learners have secured positions at various City Facilities Management depots strategically dispersed across Cape Town. These include locations in Milnerton, Philippi, Bellville, Somerset West, and the Cape Town Civic Centre.

The Vision and the Hope

Alderman Theresa Uys, expressing her anticipation and objectives for the program, stated, “This association with NBI aims to address key issues such as our shared vision for City facilities, their maintenance, and our dedication to mitigate the escalating youth unemployment rate. Our target is to facilitate continuous growth for these learners and this program is a stepping stone towards eradicating barriers to economic involvement in our city.”

She continued, “We anticipate that these learners will expand, polish their artisan skills, and secure future employment in this field, perhaps even with the City one day.”

The alliance with NBI underscores Cape Town’s dedication to offering practical learning opportunities for learners with solid theoretical backgrounds. Alderman Uys commended this strategic collaboration, stating, “NBI is an ideal partner as they supply the City with apt learners possessing the necessary theoretical foundation. We reciprocate by offering them a chance to accomplish the practical portion of their learning with our experienced Facilities Management team, the perfect department to administer a maintenance skills program like this.”

The Fusion of Theory and Practice

The union of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, the quest for sustainable growth, and the commitment to decrease unemployment are the pillars of this program. Strengthened by the unflinching commitment of the City of Cape Town and NBI, these 31 budding artisans are set on a path to transform the artisan skills landscape in Cape Town and beyond.

1. What is the Embracing Craftsmanship program?

The Embracing Craftsmanship program is a collaborative endeavor between the National Business Initiative (NBI) and the City of Cape Town to enhance artisan skills in learners.

2. How many students are accommodated in the program?

There are 31 students accommodated by the Facilities Management department for hands-on training in the program.

3. What is the duration of the program?

The learners’ contracts extend until the end of June 2026, ensuring an intense period of hands-on training.

4. What is the preliminary phase of the program?

The program’s preliminary phase will last until the 31st of August 2024, during which the NBI will bear the responsibility of remunerating the learners.

5. What is the vision of the program?

The program is a stepping stone towards eradicating barriers to economic involvement in the city, with a vision to expand and polish the artisan skills of learners for future employment in the field.

6. Where will the learners be placed during the program?

The learners have secured positions at various City Facilities Management depots strategically dispersed across Cape Town. These include locations in Milnerton, Philippi, Bellville, Somerset West, and the Cape Town Civic Centre.