The first group of 30 tradesmen and women from the Builders Enterprise Programme recently graduated at a sparkling ceremony, hosted at the Parktown Protea Hotel. The programme, aimed at developing and empowering black businesses, particularly small to medium enterprises, was first launched in September 2015.
The tradesmen and women were selected based on a range of criteria developed by Builders together with training partners Black Supplies. Aiming to provide additional skills and requirements to assist with their businesses, tradesmen and women began a six month training programme which included business plan development, website creation and business management.
Picked from the communities surrounding Builders Superstores in Tembisa, Evaton, Cosmo City and Vosloorus, they embarked on a journey, training with various partners where they were expected to be skilled to a level, where they have proudly become preferred suppliers within their communities.
As part of the program, Builders also helped them formalise their businesses by registering their companies BBBEE and Tax compliance. Builders also contributed Ipads to them in order to enable the tradesmen and women to run their business more effectively.
“As Builders, we are committed to principles of empowerment and community upliftment which is why we introduced the Builders Enterprise Development Program. This program gives Builders the opportunity to play a real role in the sustainability and growth of our country’s economy,” says Nkele Mukhari, Builders CSI/ED Practitioner.
Builders on the 29th of April 2016 also hosted a handover of tool sets and marketing materials, at Builders Warehouse in Rivonia, Johannesburg. Painters, tilers, plumbers, builders and electricians each received this thank you starter pack which is sure to go along with in helping the newly graduated tradesmen and women in getting the job done. These tools were handed over to them by Nalini Parshotan, Customer Service Manager at Builders Warehouse Rivonia and Gerald Ndlovu, Managing Director at Black Supplies.
As they continue their venture into business, these tradesmen and women are now able to do so equipped with the necessary training required for successful businesses.
For more information, visit www.builders.co.za,
About Builders
Builders forms part of Massmart Holdings Limited under the registered business name of Massbuild Pty Ltd. There are four complementary brands namely Builders Warehouse, Builders Express, Builders Trade Depot and Builders Superstore. Collectively these brands offer the largest range of quality products and services for the small to large building and maintenance contractor, home improvement and DIY enthusiast as well as garden or any other DIY related projects. The stores have convenient trading hours and locations and offer the largest range of quality products and services under one roof at competitive prices. Builders Warehouse follows the big box or warehouse retail format and trades out of stores across South Africa, one store in Zambia, two stores in Botswana and three stores in Mozambique. Builders Express now trades out of 44 stores in four provinces catering to the home owner and DIY enthusiast. Builders Trade Depot operates 16 outlets catering mostly for medium to large sized contractors and tradesmen engaged in building, maintenance and renovation projects. Builders Superstore is a new store format that opened its first two stores in November 2013 in Tembisa and Evaton which is aimed at homes in townships, rural and developing urban areas as well as small contractors. The chain currently trades out of 8 stores.
hi,i would like to be involved in the program,how do i get involved?