Fix Forward’s CEO Joshua Cox says increased funding into the NGO would result in much needed skill and entrepreneurship development for low income tradespeople in South Africa. Having seen first-hand how basic marketing resources and a good reference helped a struggling tradesman friend from Diepsloot secure work, Cox established Fix Forward in 2012 to help others achieve similar success.
The organisation works with skilled tradespeople who have the potential to build successful businesses by connecting with potential customers.The selected contractors go through a three layered programme that includes E- Learning ,Group workshops and Coaching and Mentoring.
“We offer a holistic 12-month development programme to our tradespeople. The aim of the programme is to empower them with all of the skills and experience necessary to grow into successful, independent entrepreneurs.” says Cox
Partner tradesmen are all in the construction and renovations industry. They face an imbalance in the way in which entrepreneurs in the sector are able to access opportunities due to limited business skills and market access. When these entrepreneurs succeed the benefits spread widely as they hire and train more local workers.
” There is a need to grow the number of tradespeople in the programme so that we can have more people contributing to their families and their communities in a positive way” concluded Cox
