EBDA has recently signed a Service Level Agreement with Masana Business Solutions who will provide EBDA with Business Consultants who will provide the backbone of the support to new entrepreneurs that have graduated from the 9 month long New Venture Creation Learnership.
The model as outlined below illustrates this process.
EBDA’s unique position in the business development domain relates to the fact that EBDA is not merely simply another training centre. Our core business is about developing and supporting sustainable business within the SA economy, but more specifically within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality.
The process starts with in Phase 1 with two categories of persons entering the EBDA development programme. The first of these are persons who are unemployable due to inadequate literacy and numeracy levels or poor skill levels. The second category of workers are corporate employees who also need training and development for whatever reason.
Depending on their personal requirements, these learners then enter the Phase 2 stage where they are exposed to the fundamentals of ABET and other educational support. This culminates in either the learner leaving with ABET at NQF level 1or with a matriculation certificate.
At this point the learner may enter Phase 3 – the Skill Acquisition phase. During this phase the learner can enter into one or more of any of the technical channels available at EBDA. These include mining, engineering, metallurgical, construction, motor mechanics, IT or Health, Safety and Environment. This phase is also supported by a wide variety of managerial and leadership development learning interventions.
On completion of this phase, learners may exit the system directly as part of EBDA’s corporate Placement Programme or return to the Corporate workplace as productive workers. Interested persons may apply to enter Phase 4 – the entrepreneurial and New Venture Creation phase. To qualify for this programme, learners must have a technical base that will form the basis of the products and services that their new company, to be registered during the phase, will offer. Applicants will also be required to go through a very stringent selection process before being accepted onto the programme. The New Venture Creation programme lasts approximately 9 months. On completion of this programme the graduates from the programme may, on a voluntary basis, sign a business support agreement with EBDA. This entails the payment of a nominal registration fee by the entrepreneur for which he/she is guaranteed a certain number of hours of business support. Additional hours may be secured on a payment per hour basis. During this business support process the new entrepreneurs will be supported in all matters of establishing sustainable businesses. This may include assistance in financial and cash flow matters, marketing plans, securing finance, business premises or any other matter in which they need assistance. It is envisaged that a comprehensive mentoring process for a period of up to 2 years will be implemented. Thereafter, members will form part of an alumni club and they will in turn be required to will mentor and support new businesses. It is also envisaged that various awards will be issued during the year in recognition of excellence achieved.
The entire model is based on a co-operative and strategic alliance philosophy where companies can play a part in sponsoring elements of this process. For further details please contact us at info.ebda.co.za or on any of our contact numbers as spelled out under the “Contact Us” tab on the home page.
