Thembalethu Development was appointed by the Services SETA to implement the General Education and Training
Certificate: Adult Basic Education Training (GETC:ABET) Learning Programme. This initiative targeted 400
beneficiaries across Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, Northern Cape, and the Western Cape. The programme was
designed specifically for low-skilled employees from the Community Works Programme (CWP) who needed to enhance
their communication skills to perform their jobs more productively, accurately, efficiently, and safely.
The GETC:ABET Learning Programme aimed to equip participants with essential verbal and written communication
skills. These skills are crucial for executing job functions that require basic mathematics, such as counting
money, taking measurements, and managing inventory. By improving these fundamental skills, the programme
sought to enhance the overall competency and productivity of the participants in their respective roles within
the CWP.
Participants in the programme were taken through five selected unit standards, which collectively amounted to
25 credits. These unit standards were carefully chosen to ensure they covered the essential skills needed for
the participants to improve their job performance. The structured approach of the programme ensured that each
participant received comprehensive training, which could be directly applied to their everyday work tasks,
thereby increasing their efficiency and effectiveness.
The impact of the GETC:ABET Learning Programme extended beyond immediate job performance improvements. By
equipping participants with better communication and basic mathematical skills, the programme also aimed to
boost their confidence and self-reliance. These enhanced skills provided participants with a stronger
foundation for personal and professional growth, potentially opening up further opportunities for career
advancement or additional training.
Overall, Thembalethu Development’s implementation of the GETC:ABET Learning Programme in partnership with the
Services SETA represents a significant step towards improving the skill levels of low-skilled employees in the
Community Works Programme. By focusing on essential communication and mathematical skills, the initiative not
only improves job performance but also empowers participants with the tools needed for broader personal and
economic development. This programme exemplifies a commitment to fostering a more skilled and capable
workforce across multiple provinces in South Africa.
