Comair provides training, employment for underprivileged youth

The CDK Academy, with the support of Comair, will offer airline specific training and leadership training for underprivileged learners in the communities of Ekurhuleni in the East Rand region of Gauteng.

Once the learners graduate, they will be issued with Comair accredited certification. Comair will assist with the placement of learners to gain practical experience. Graduates will also be considered for formal employment should there be vacancies available and should they meet the requisite requirements.

Carol Ova, founder of the CDK Coaching Academy and Recruitment Company, says: "The aim of CDK is to recruit young people, in particular matriculants, and equip them with skills that will render them competent and employable. This in turn will help eradicate the dependency syndrome that gives rise to despondency and hopelessness amongst the youth in South Africa."

Comair has been involved in the CDK community learnership programme since 2005. Through this programme it has trained close to 140 learners and provided employment to 111 of the learners as Customer Service Agents at O.R. Tambo International Airport. Some of the learners have taken advantage of growth opportunities and applied for other positions in the business such as Senior Customer Service Agents, Contact Centre Agents or Cabin Crew.

Erik Venter, CEO of Comair says "Since 2005 we have seen this community initiative grow and develop into the fully-fledged company it is today. Comair is proud to be able to support such a worthy initiative, which tackles the monumental problem of skills shortage and unemployment amongst our youth."

Comair will provide financial support of more than R2-million over the next year to the CDK Coaching Academy and Recruitment (PTY) Ltd.