Kwikspace, the southern African specialist in manufacturing and erecting mobile, temporary and permanent prefabricated modular buildings, has commissioned one of its own relocatable structures as the onsite Kwikspace Learning Academy. Following on the success of Kwikspace’s Adult Based Education and Training (ABET) programme, which began in 2005, the Learning Academy was developed to upskill employees and is now Kwikspace’s National Training Centre.

Launched in May 2018, the Academy is housed in a 57 m² classroom-like portable structure which can accommodate 24 employees and their trainer. Accredited courses run for between one and three days with training conducted by outsourced specialists, all of whom are accredited by their respective Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA).

“The Academy forms part of Kwikspace’s internal CSI,” explains Thabisa Moleshe, Human Resources Executive, Kwikspace. “We also realise that some of our employees would like to expand their academic qualifications beyond our in-house training. With this in mind, we award bursaries for employees to study further, with the criteria being that courses studied are in line with Kwikspace’s organisational needs.”

All employees who undergo training receive certificates of attendance, while certificates of competence are awarded to those who pass accredited training.

“The introduction of the Kwikspace Learning Academy was a natural progression from the company’s ABET training initiative, which has been running for 13 consecutive years,” Moleshe says. Also conducted at Kwikspace’s Kliprivier factory premises, the adult education covers ABET levels 1 to 4, which is essentially school grades 1 through to grade 9.

“The ABET offering is extremely successful, with a number of our employees continuing through the various levels year-on-year,” Moleshe concludes. “At Kwikspace, we are committed to providing upskilling courses and educational advancement for all employees. As the National Training Centre for Kwikspace, employees located at our various country-wide branches are offered training at our facility every alternate month.”

All Kwikspace Learning Academy courses are SETA-accredited: Business Skills falls under the Services SETA; Health and Safety under MersSETA and TETA, Finance under FASSET; and Computer Skills under MICT SETA.