Having worked in the area for a number of years, we have noted how the social fabric of the society is undermined by the lack of facilities for the many youth who do not have the necessary support structures to make use of mainstream schooling or technical training. Given that the country is experiencing a severe skills shortage the DBEC provides such a resource to support the education and training of the many desperate young people in this area. Empowerment of these learners, thereby leads to creating sustainable livelihoods in the poor and disadvantaged communities of Ennerdale and surrounding informal settlements.

Young Adults from the communities at large may enroll at the DCSC to attain technical skills.
Programmes that are currently offered at DCSC include:

• Motor Mechanics
• Welding
• Family & Consumer Sciences
• Computer Skills
• Arts & Crafts (Sewing, Beadwork, Crafts)
• Electrical
• Life Skills
• Hair Dressing
• Brick Laying

A partnership has been established with the Ekukhanyeni Relief Projects who offer accredited courses in Permaculture and Plant Based Health Care Management and Nutrition.
Through the generosity of the University of Johannesburg, a bi-weekly homeopathic clinic is operated at the Centre, which is open to serving not only the students and staff of the schools but the members of the greater community as well.

Prior to the start of each new term students are required to attend a comprehensive Life Skills Programme that has been developed to address the needs of the current situation in the country. The intensive course aims to assist the students in preparing them practically for the world of work; it addresses many of the social challenges they face on a daily basis, and it teaches them communication skills and teamwork.

In 2015, the DCSC saw the addition of another new course added to the existing programmes when the Italian based company, CNH Industrial, offered to construct and support a Motor Mechanics Course. Locally supported by Iveco South Africa, this new course gives another exciting opportunity to the young people in the area to pursue an interest in the mechanics field.

Other exciting developments have included the recent accreditation of our Welding Course in 2015 and the Motor Mechanics Course in 2016 with the National Government Authority, merSETA. With such accreditation the DCSC is now authorised to present, in addition to our Certificate for completion of the course, a Statement of Results to each of the students that is recorded on a Nationally recognised database. Students may use this accomplishment to find employment immediately or may choose to further their studies in their respective fields at a later time. As funding permits, the Centre will seek to have the other courses accredited by their respective SETAs (Sector Education Training Authority).