I'm Passionate About Skills Development

AFTER WORKING AT A TRAINING COLLEGE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, BETH COOK, 54, WAS INSPIRED TO DO MORE FOR MARGINALISED SOUTH AFRICANS. SHE IS THE COFOUNDER AND CEO OF PROGRESSION

- Nolwazi Dhlamini

‘Throughout mom, but taught part-time at my mother’s maths remedial centre. After going through a devastating divorce and being left destitute, I worked as an independent IT facilitator and then eventually became a training manager at a college. I worked with people with disabilities, providing them with inclusive and accessible training solutions, and saw an opportunity to make a difference through learnerships that were introduced under the Skills Development Act. Under my previous employer, we trained people with disabilities in basic office work and skills such as typing, computer skills and bookkeeping, but never took it beyond that. I wanted to take it further and help them actually find jobs in corporate workplaces; I thought what better way to do this than through learnership programmes.

I had the idea of starting my own company in 2002 and cofounded Progression with Stacey Leslie; I had experience in training and Stacey had a business background, so we made the perfect pair. We spent months working on our laptops from her lounge, conceptualising and trying to bring the company to life. Finally, after nine months of sleepless nights, knocking on people’s doors and networking as much as we could, we got our first clients and it felt amazing! Our vision was finally coming to life.