POPUP has embarked on a second phase in skills development at Edendale which is in the north eastern part of Pretoria, approximately 37 kilometres from its existing premises in Salvokop.  The second phase development will focus primarily on hard skills (building constructions skills) and we initially aim to present six building trades, which we plan to expand in time to come.  The identified trades are currently among some of the identified skills on the national critical and scarce skills needed in South Africa.

The centre will be developed in different phases.  POPUP is currently in the process of developing a workshop area for the training that is to commence in October 2010 to January 2011. 

The following agreements are in process of development for the construction of the workshop:

• Plans for the workshop was drafted by ARC Architects
• Steel panels that were received from Exxaro will be used for walls
• R90 000 was already received from donors (MAN Truck & Bus Services and Bigen Africa)
• Bigen Africa (engineering company) is in discussion with POPUP and ARC about assistance with the construction process
• Rotary International is in the process of considering to fund the infrastructure needed in addition to the buildings.

The first two training programmes that will be implemented on the site include the Plumbing and Painting training programmes.  Dawn Limited and Prominent paints have indicated that they are willing to provide the learning material and training materials for these programmes.  POPUP hopes to expand these programmes to six construction related training programmes in time to come.

If your company would like to partner with POPUP in providing skills materials or funding, please contact Marlene Freislich on 082 332 2581 or email marlene@popup.co.za.