Engen proudly congratulates the 2025 cohort of the Engen Global Citizen Development Programme (EGCDP) for successfully completing the first phase of their transformative 12-month ICT journey.

The milestone was celebrated during a Learners’ Project Presentation Day at the Blue Roof Life Space in Wentworth, Durban in late July. The event gave learners a platform to present the technical projects they developed during the classroom component of their training, showcasing their growing capabilities in Systems Development and Technical Support.

Learners were recognised for their hard work, discipline, and dedication. With the theory portion of the programme now behind them, the learners will transition into the second phase: on-site workplace learnerships, where they will gain hands-on experience and workplace exposure across various host companies.

Launched in April 2023, and now active in both South Durban and Steelpoort in Limpopo, the Engen Global Citizen Development Programme offers high-impact ICT training aimed at improving youth employability and promoting socio-economic upliftment.

A total of 21 young people from Durban were selected for this year’s programme, with nine learners enrolled in the NQF Level 4 Technical Support qualification and 12 pursuing the NQF Level 5 Systems Development qualification. Participants come from surrounding communities, including: Umlazi, Wentworth, Lamontville, and Merebank

Structured with a 30% theory and 70% practical training split, the EGCDP equips learners with foundational IT knowledge, programming skills, and workplace readiness. The Project Presentation Day offered a powerful testament to the learners’ growth, innovation, and future potential, with host employers, Engen representatives, and Engen-Community Joint Committee members in attendance to provide feedback and encouragement.

“Investing in skills development is key to economic upliftment,” said Olwethu Mdabula, Engen’s CSI Manager.

“The progress of these learners is incredibly encouraging, and we look forward to seeing how they grow during their learnerships. It’s about building confident, job-ready graduates who can thrive in the ICT space.”

Dee Mdeka, Engen Skills Development Manager added: “The digital economy is evolving rapidly, and equipping young people with future-fit skills is essential. Through the EGCDP, we ensure our graduates gain both technical expertise and real-world experience, positioning them for success in a competitive job market.”

Following the programme’s success in Durban, it was expanded to Steelpoort, Limpopo earlier this year. There, a new intake of 10 students has also completed their theory component and will soon move into workplace training.

“Empowering youth with ICT skills not only strengthens individual career prospects but also contributes to the country’s digital transformation,” noted Simlindele Manqina, Head of Transformation and Stakeholder Engagement at Engen. “We are proud to support these learners on their journey toward personal growth and professional success.”

The EGCDP aligns with Engen’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) — reflecting the company’s broader vision to enrich lives for a sustainable future.

Engen extends its heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all learners as they enter this next chapter of their professional journey.

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