Women Gain Construction Skills Through GBL Programme

• Skills Empowerment for Women Through the GBL Programme: Women receiving COVID-19 SRD and Child Support Grants participated in a skills training session intended to create sustainable income opportunities beyond social assistance.
• Partnerships Supporting Women’s Development: The initiative is a collaborative effort involving SASSA, the Department of Social Development, Finmark Trust, NDA, and NYDA, aimed at fostering economic empowerment among women.
• Construction Skills Training Facilitated by NHBRC: The training covered key construction skills such as identifying quality materials, laying foundations, and roofing, with guidance from the National Home Builders Registration Council.

As part of the Generating Better Livelihoods (GBL) Programme, women who receive the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant and the Child Support Grant took part in a skills empowerment session aimed at opening pathways beyond social assistance.

The initiative is a partnership between SASSA, the Department of Social Development, Finmark Trust, the National Development Agency (NDA) and the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA). To mark Women’s Month, the programme placed women at the centre by equipping them with practical skills that can translate into sustainable income opportunities.

The training was facilitated by the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) and covered essential areas of construction, including identifying quality building materials, laying foundations, roofing, and understanding NHBRC services.

Aligned with the GBL Programme’s vision, the session focused on promoting self-reliance, employability, and entrepreneurship. By providing hands-on knowledge, the initiative encourages women to explore opportunities in construction and related fields, empowering them to build stronger futures for themselves and their families.

Through such programmes, SASSA and its partners continue to show how social development initiatives can move beyond grants and create long-term solutions that strengthen communities.