The new unit, officially opened on Monday 25 October 2010 by Minister Alan Winde, MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism for the Western Cape saw the graduation of 41 craft producers who have, through the CCDI, completed accredited MAPP Seta learnerships such as the NQF 2 in craft production, the NQF 4 in craft enterprise and the NQF 5 in craft operational management.
Minister Winde said, "Our craft sector, which is made up of small and micro-enterprises and provides significant opportunities to women, has flourished since the establishment of the CCDI. This new training facility will no doubt assist the sector to reach new heights and we are very pleased to be a funder of it."
"Training has been integral to the CCDI since it was established in 2001," said Sarah Polonsky, manager of the CCDI's Business Support programme. "The training unit, across the road from our existing Harrington Street headquarters, will allow us to expand on our existing training and workshop programmes and provide enhanced support to the growing number of Western Cape small business entrepreneurs in the fields of craft production and design."
The training unit will offer a full programme of creativity and business development workshops, targeted programmes with a market support focus, events, networking meetings, monthly craft sector meetings and exhibitions. There will also be space available for renting or short-term booking by other organisations.
The unit has four permanent staff - training co-ordinator Dammon Rice, creativity workshop facilitator Karen Stewart, administrative assistant Eunice Freeman and receptionist Ayanda Bala-Nyamimba. Facilities include an event space, workshop spaces and a research space equipped with PCs for workshop participants.
