Kwikspace recently assisted over 230 learners further their education with its scholarship programme. Through the scholarship grant, in association with SANCHAA, these learners have achieved SETA-accredited Further Education and Training Certificates NQF Level IV in Project Management and Business Administration.

Established in 2016, the grant aims to assist those who have a Grade 10 or higher, but did not complete matric and are looking to further their studies.

Learners benefitting from the grant, aged between 19 and 30, committed to 10 lecture days a month, for a year. “Course material extends beyond the lecture sessions,” explains Kevin Moodley of Kwikspace. “Tasks are also allocated to the learners and must be completed via research and self-study. Once the course is complete, learners are accredited with 128 credits for the Project Management certificate and 120 credits for the Business Administration Services certificate.

Those learners who were unable to complete the qualification for whatever reason will retain the credits earned per module, enabling them to complete the full qualification in the near future.” The sponsorship caters for 300 learners per year.

“This educational grant has really changed the lives of many young South Africans, especially those who had not passed matric and did not therefore have an opportunity to further their studies,” says Moodley. “Now 231 learners of 300 enrolled have completed an NQF Level IV qualification, giving them a second chance in life.

Initiatives like this could help further others companies’ agendas of educating and uplifting the youth. It is a way of encouraging other businesses to fund these initiatives as many young people need this kind of support.”

The graduation ceremony for the Class of 2017, held on 9 March 2019 in Finetown, Grasmere, was attended by the 231 learners and their guests, Kwikspace (main sponsor) and the various stakeholders consisting of the Services SETA, KYP (Kliptown Youth Program), Ebeneza Hana and Harvest Time. “The Class of 2017 graduation was postponed for several reasons and therefore held only in 2019,” Moodley explains. “However, we anticipate holding the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2018 in July this year.”

Most of the training is conducted at the SANCHAA CONNECTION offices in Walkerville, south of Johannesburg. However, to accommodate learners outside of the Walkerville area, training is also conducted at various sites in Johannesburg and Durban.

The Johannesburg sites include Ennerdale Multi-Purpose Centre, KYP in Kliptown, and the Dundee Enhlahleni Care Centre. In Durban, training is conducted at facilities in Wentworth and Amouti.

The Kwikspace SANCHAA Scholarship Grant was established in 2016 and is a community upliftment project that forms part of Kwikspace’s ongoing CSI initiatives.  Kwikspace has undertaken to continue funding this grant for the foreseeable future.