Skills Development Is NOT Just A Business Strategy, IT's A National Imperative - Engen

Image supplied. Andiswa Mkhize, manager, org design and EE; Pontsho Matshediso, talent acquisition specialist; Thando Kondowe, graduate; Msizi Gantsho, graduate; Angela Stofile, HR graduate; Sandi Jama, graduate.

This initiative forms part of Engen’s broader investment in skills development through its apprenticeships, learnerships and graduate development programmes. “Creating employment through targeted skills development is not just a business strategy – it’s a national imperative,” says Dee Mdeka, Engen’s skills development facilitator.

“Our year-long call centre learnership programme has already equipped five young graduates with the technical capabilities, workplace experience and confidence to thrive in a customer-centric environment. Now, as we welcome 10 more trainees – all living with disabilities — we reaffirm our commitment to truly inclusive development.”

Opportunities for employment

Commencing on 1 June 2024 and concluding on 31 May 2025, the first CSC learnership was implemented in partnership with a trusted and accredited training provider. To ensure upskilling and focused learning for these trainees, the programme ensured guidance through dedicated mentors per learner to focus on core modules which included the orientation to contact centre, occupational learning, service excellence, problem-solving, business writing, inbound and outbound centre operations. The leaners also received additional training on MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), First Aid Level 1, CSC recruit and survey agent training.

To prove that the learning journey for these graduates has been a success, about three of them have been offered and accepted full-time positions as frontline representatives at Engen’s customer services centre in Cape Town, where they will handle order placement, query logging and maintenance job card processing for customers across the country.

Image supplied. Zoli Mazibuko, iLearn facilitator, and the three proud graduates who secured positions at Engen.

“This has changed my life,” says Thando Kondowe, 30, from Khayelitsha. “I now have a career, not just a job. Thank you to everyone at Engen who believed in me and gave me a chance.”

“Being offered a full-time position is a dream come true,” says Sandi Jama, 26, from Samora Machel. “I came into this programme with hope, and I’m leaving with a career. Thank you, Engen.”

“The support I received during the programme helped me grow both personally and professionally,” says 21-year-old Msizi Ganthso from Nyanga. “I’m grateful to be joining the Engen family permanently.”

“Our new frontline team members have impressed us at every turn,” notes Shireen Knipe, Engen frontline manager. “Their adaptability, professionalism, and dedication to service excellence speak volumes about the quality of this learnership.”

Making things inclusive

On 1 July 2025, 10 new trainees — all people with disabilities — will join the CSC learnership. This intake not only addresses critical skills shortages but also supports Engen’s employment equity and disability-inclusion goals.

“Beyond technical training, we’ve built robust support structures — PC literacy upskilling, accessible learning materials, adaptive technology, and dedicated mentorship,” adds Dee Mdeka. “This ensures that every learner can succeed, regardless of ability.”

By internalising these roles, Engen aims to reduce staff turnover, build long-term career pathways, and enable individuals with disabilities to become active economic contributors.

The CSC learnership is aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 4 (inclusive quality education), the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and South Africa’s 2015 White Paper on Disability.

“Youth unemployment remains one of South Africa’s biggest challenges,” concludes Mdeka. “Through targeted, inclusive skills development, we’re building a pipeline of talented, workplace-ready youth who will help power the country’s future.”