No fee driver training programme yields pass rate success MyZA

October yielded the best pass rate to date for the Coega Development Corporation’s (CDC) free-driver training programme, with an impressive 108 new drivers on the road after passing their driver’s licence tests last month.

The pass rate figures are an indication of the progress made towards the CDC’s goal of assisting the youth and other vulnerable groups become more employable because they have a drivers licence.

“Between April and October the CDC’s driver training programme assisted 483 people in their quest to get a drivers’ licences,” said Ayanda Vilakazi, CDC head of marketing and communication. “We have been booming and October ended up being a record month for us.

“We believe that the successful pass rate is an indication of the dedication and commitment of the CDC’s driving instructors who, through greater exposure and experience, are really lifting the bar, so to speak, and becoming highly proficient in the work they are doing. The results speak for themselves – and we look forward to the November statistics to see if we can maintain this momentum.”

Currently there are 16 driver training instructors working across the province both on the driver simulators and on-road vehicle instruction. The training programme consists of two training phases aimed at youth and other vulnerable groups. The driver simulator-based training is the first phase and affords first-time drivers the opportunity to learn in a safe environment before venturing out onto the road. The second phase is on-road training with a driving instructor.

Coega also facilitates the process of learners’ licence application and testing as part of the driver simulator programme.

“The recent success of the driver pass rate indicates the great strides made by the CDC in its driver training programme,” said Vilakazi.

“The dedication on display by both the instructors and the learners is inspiring. Similarly seeing our targets increase and be met year-on-year is a great achievement for the organisation and the programme as our flagship corporate social investment initiative.”

The CDC set a high bar for the programme this year increasing its target new driver licences target for the 2013/14 financial year from 300 in the previous year to 770.

During 2012/13 the CDC’s driver training programme showed mammoth growth coupled with a proportionate increase in the number of people who passed their drivers licences meaning 398 people could call themselves drivers for the first time – a tenfold increase on the previous year’s figures and in excess of the target of 300.

A total of 1453 people in 2012/13 and almost double since April this year, 2349 people ,also gained learner’s licences training.

The CDC’s 124 interns also benefit from the programme, which helps them secure employment after their tenure at the CDC.

CDC intern, Andile Zigoxo, passed his licence earlier this year. “This is an extremely beneficial programme for the youth, especially those who do not have the capacity to seek training out of their own pockets. It has definitely benefitted me, and I can see it assisting many other youth in need,” he said.

Vilakazi said: “The programme has become invaluable in the economic lives of so many people and also for the economic future of the province, which relies on a pool of skilled labour to drive its development and competiveness as a region.”

The programme is provided free of charge to beneficiaries. Eight higher learning institutions in the Eastern Cape have benefited from the Coega driver training programme thus far and include: Buffalo City College in East London, Lovedale FET College in King Williams Town, Eastcape Midlands College in Uitenhage and Grahamstown, Ikhala College in Queenstown, Nkantolo Community Centre, Walter Sisulu University in Mthatha and Amajingqi Traditional Council in Willowvale. The CDC also implemented the programme at Sabelele Village, Chris Hani Municipality. The CDC is currently in talks with King Hintsa FET in Dutywa.

Driver training in the Eastern Cape, led by the Coega Development Corporation, is tallying huge successes. Handing over keys to a driver instructor, Lumka Manziya, is the CDC’s Executive Manager of Corporate Services, Zuko Mapoma.