There is a special moment in every skills training class that the 3241 Foundation supports. It happens somewhere around the third session. A student who arrived uncertain — shoulders low, eyes down — suddenly sits up. Something has clicked. They have realised they can do this.
That moment is why we do this work.
South Africa’s unemployment rate among youth under 35 sits above 60% in many of the communities we serve. The reasons are complex — inadequate schooling, lack of transport, no access to networks, no capital to start a business. But at the heart of it is a simple deficit: many young people have never been given the chance to develop a marketable skill.
We partner with accredited training providers to offer short courses in high-demand fields: catering and food handling, basic construction and tiling, early childhood development, sewing and alterations, and urban farming.
Each course runs for six to twelve weeks. Upon completion, graduates receive a certificate, a starter toolkit where applicable, and an introduction to our small business incubation network — a group of local entrepreneurs and community-based businesses who have committed to mentoring and where possible employing programme graduates.
These initiatives ensure that there are now families who can now eat without waiting for a food parcel. Parents who can look their children in the eye and say: I am providing for you.
To donate to skills training initiatives, or to register as a training partner, email info@3241.co.za
