REACH- REALITY TRAINING CENTRE

Computer Group

REACH – Reality Training Centre was established in 2002 to assist rehabilitated persons financially - short term - while they were getting back on their feet. It soon became clear that being financially independent was an enormous obstacle.  To make matters worse, available employment required skills and being unemployed; our candidates could not afford training.  REACH took the next step and started the Reality Training Centre project to provide free skills training. 

The demand for the training was so overwhelming that in 2004 Reality opened its doors to all unemployed people.  Since inception we have trained in excess of 3300 students.  Courses currently offered includes: basic computers, bookkeeping, catering, industrial and domestic sewing, entrepreneurship, work ethic and literacy.    Last year alone we trained 632 students and are now positioning the organization to train up to 1034 students per year, free of charge. The centre also assists students from Greenwood Primary with literacy.  All this has been achieved despite challenges i.e. premises, equipment and funds.

We conduct a performance survey of our ex-students annually and we have received fantastic feedback.  It is extremely rewarding to do what we enjoy and at the same time add value to people’s lives. Nolovuyo Ngqandede, a former student at the centre, had the following to say: “I heard about the center through a friend of mine, I did the catering course. On completion of the course, I started my own Catering Company in Motherwell. I have since been booked for two functions and I have been able to employ people to help me with the functions. I would definitely recommend the centre to others, especially those that don’t have the finances to pay for further education after completing their matric.”

A Quarterly Labour Force Survey revealed that 34.3% of The Nelson Mandela Bay working age residents are unemployed, Reality Training Centre provides skills to help eradicate unemployment and to provide hope and direction to those that do not see a bright future for themselves. It is becoming extremely hard to provide training without the help of local businesses and the public, we ask for any assistance.