CEFA | Continuing Education for Africa

The aim of cefa is to equip young people throughout South Africa with knowledge, skills and values to empower them in order to become involved in the development of people and communities. Learners targeted are typically defined as persons who are employed by an institution, organization or business or unemployed persons.

The training model is unique in the sense that training occurs in communities, is outcomes based, programmes are accredited and on various NQF levels. All programmes comply with the requirements of the NQF, SAQA and the relevant ETQA. Training takes place at the workplace which ensures that people are trained whilst they continue to work, thereby remaining economically independent.

Together with the training of learners, members of the community are empowered to be used as facilitators and are supported by mentorship and coaching. This way indigenous knowledge is embedded in the subject matter and sustainability of the project is ensured.

The CEFA training model is defined as "on the job practice". Classroom theory (30%) is combined with practical workplace experience (70%) in an inter-active learner support system of qualification related occupational employment. Learnerships therefore combine structured learning with work experience, leading to a nationally recognized qualification. On the job training enhances employability and career development.

Drawing on a wide range of cumulative experience and wisdom, cefa provides qualified educators, mentors and managers, who equip qualifying learners with academic, theoretical and practical field operating and research skills. Classroom theory is backed by – and interspersed with – case studies, field experience and investigative research, all of which is updated as more experience is gained. The whole learning process is subject to rigorous on-going performance monitoring and assessment by the training team and the learners together.

The following values are inherent in the training provided by cefa:
• an outcomes based approach enhancing the abilities of all learners;
• human development wherein training develops personal and community potential;
• a system based approach which combines theory and practice;
• a needs directed approach geared to individual, community and national needs;
• quality of life improvement for individuals and their communities.