ETBCG programme

The Citrus Growers’ Association (CGA) has initiated a programme to provide grant and loan funding to black-owned citrus enterprises to fund the establishment of new orchards, the rehabilitation of existing orchards, infrastructure development (including building new and rehabilitating existing packhouses), equipment purchases, and production costs for new orchards. To this, skills development initiatives were added, to ensure that new and existing employees of beneficiaries have the necessary skills and capacity.

In 2019 an application was made to the AgriSETA for funding the skills development initiatives related to the programme. In October 2019 an agreement was signed between the CGA and the AgriSETA for funding amounting to R12 988 585, for learnerships, skills programmes and bursaries that will be implemented over the duration of the project, from April 2020 to March 2023.

The CGA is responsible for the overall implementation, management and oversight of the project, and has engaged the Citrus Academy to be the implementation agent for the skills development initiatives, while the CGA Grower Development Company (CGA-GDC) was appointed as the implementation agent for the enterprise development aspect of the project.

Scientific Roets (Pty) Ltd, a service provider with the necessary accreditation, expertise, capacity and track record, has been contracted by the Citrus Academy, to implement the skills programmes and learnerships related to the programme nationally.

The ETBCG programme will be offering the following learnership and skills programme:

• Learnership – NQF level 2 Plant Production
• Learnership – NQF level 4 Citrus Business Management
• Skills Programme – Citrus Business Administration
• Skills Programme – Citrus Farmworker Programme
• Skills Programme – Citrus Packhouse Worker Programme
• Bursaries – 10 Bursaries each for 2021 and 2022 and 5 for 2023

These interventions will be rolled out across 6 areas namely the Nkwaleni Valley, the Sundays River Valley, the Gamtoos Valley, the Kat River Valley Brits, and Thohoyandou.

Selection Criteria and Requirements

1. Applicant must specify whether they are currently employed or unemployed.
2. Applicant must be over the age of 18.
3. For the NQF2 learnerships, the applicant must have passed at least grade 9.
4. For the NQF4 learnerships, the applicant must have passed at least grade 11.
5. Applicants must have an updated CV.
6. Applicants must be able to supply the following:

• 2 x certified copies of ID
• 2 x certified copies of highest qualification
• Bank statement (3 months) or confirmation of bank account details (for learnership allowance)

For more information on how to apply growers can contact Sam Louw on sam@citrusacademy.org.za or 031-765-3410