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Repair

Are you an aspiring entrepreneur? Want to be self-employed?

Learn a life-long skill. During this holistic 2-year enterprise development programme we work with unemployed men and women who have technical and electrical skills to help them become self-employed as appliance repair and resell traders. You learn how to repair, buy and sell appliances. You learn life skills, business skills and computer skills. You benefit from coaching, mentorship, volunteering and a support network of like-minded people. You even receive a qualification and – most importantly – become your own boss.  It’s hard work, but it’s worth it!

Where do we offer the Repair programme?

At three of our branches: Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban. We select 50 to 150 people annually through our recruitment and shortlisting process.

How does it work?

Application process
  • Apply: To get started, complete the online application form for the region where you stay.
  • Attend an Open Day: We review applications and invite shortlisted candidates to an Open Day. We take a number of people through an in-depth workshop, interview and selection process until we get to our final shortlist.
  • Volunteer and technical assessment: Shortlisted candidates volunteer their time to work at TCB for 2 days a week for 1 month. We provide a travel stipend. During this time, you get to know the TCB organisation, process and people to decide if this is for you. We also do a technical assessment to see whether you will be able to do electrical repair work.

The programme

  • Your application is successful: If your application is successful you will sign an enterprise development agreement with TCB.
  • Start repairing and trading: You start your business within two weeks from joining the programme when you start to buy, repair and sell appliances from TCB at discounted rates to make a profit. (To help you get started, TCB provides you with a small start-up loan).
  • Learn, repair, grow and prosper: During the next 2 years, you’ll be supported on your entrepreneurial journey by our team of trainers, coaches and mentors as well as a close network of other entrepreneurs. You will learn the theory and practice of repairing appliances and running a small business.

Who can apply?

To qualify, you must:

  • be a South African citizen
  • be over 25 years of age
  • be unemployed
  • have Grade 10 or higher qualification
  • have technical or electrical skills/aptitude/interest
  • be able to commit full-time (no learnerships or part-time studies)
  • be black as defined by the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) legislation (Black African, Coloured, Indian with SA Citizenship)

How to apply

Complete the online application form for the region where you stay. Complete the online application form for the region where you stay. If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to attend an Open Day. If you don’t hear from us, your application was not successful.

NB: Applications are closed for selected regions and will only reopen once we have space available. Keep checking this page to see when it reopens.

Cape Town

Applications Open

Johannesburg

Applications Open

Durban

Applications Open

Learn life-long skills.

When you learn a life-long skill such as repairing appliances no one can ever take it away from you. You can become financially and socially independent – run a business anywhere! 

This programme is very practical and experiential, but also includes theoretical and technical training in appliance repair. Participants start their small businesses very soon after joining TCB by trading in their local community. During the 2-year programme traders are exposed to over 1000 hours of practical training and support, covering modules from money management, business skills, computer skills and life skills. We approach the development of each person holistically as we believe that if you are a healthy person, with a healthy mind and a healthy family – you will run a healthy business. We have an extensive support system that includes coaching, mentoring and counselling. 

Siyasanga Zenani

I couldn’t finish my high school because I felt pressure to provide for my family, including my younger sisters. Starting at TCB was a bit scary. But each time I come here, I get more confident. I learn how to fix things. I never miss a class because I want to learn. I see myself as a business owner now I turned into a problem solver for my customers! It’s a great opportunity to be here. It helped me a lot. It built something inside me. I learned how to be independent. How to be business minded. How to build a proper business. I learned how to be independent. How to be business minded. How to build a proper business.
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TCB – Taking Care of Business is a non-profit company that equips aspiring entrepreneurs with the skills and resources they need to unlock their full potential and access the economy. 

NPO number: 081-505-NPO |  PBO number: 930032046

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