Cape Town start-up company, The FreeCom Group, which refurbishes PCs, has launched a programme to help previously disadvantaged learners operate and buy their own franchise businesses.
FreeCom MD Rob Packham says the FreeCom Digital Workshop training facility encompasses a training facility where PC repair, refurbishment and technical support skills are taught along with the business skills needed to run future FreeCom franchise stores.
He says the first franchise store, FreeCom Affordable Computers, was opened in Mitchell`s Plain last week and sells lower to middle market affordable refurbished PCs as well as computer accessories. Plans are in place to open another four stores by the end of next year.
"The aim of the programme is to transfer skills to previously disadvantaged learners and equip them to run their own FreeCom stores in the future," says Packham. "Students get their hands on practical experience at the FreeCom PC refurbishment and assembly facility, which has the capacity to refurbish 1 800 PCs a month, as well as receiving commercial skills training."
Packham says the practical training will encompass PC fundamentals and technologies, as well as network and server technologies. The trainees will also spend four months of the year in an entrepreneurial development programme to learn commercial skills.
"We have already taken on four learners and will take in another six in January and a further 20 the following year. Once learners finish the course, they will either be placed as an assistant manager or manager at one of our new stores opening in the Western Cape next year. A structured finance plan will allow those learners to buy the store over time," he says.
In this way, FreeCom plans to become a channel feeder of refurbished PCs as well as assembled PCs to its stores.
Once FreeCom has a number of stores up and running in the Western Cape, Packham says the company will expand into the Eastern Cape and the rest of the country.
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