Enterprise development programmes that pair skilled tradespeople with structured business training, like Nedbank’s ongoing funding of Fix Forward, address a specific gap: many tradespeople have strong technical skills but limited experience running a business as an entrepreneur.
What programmes like this actually provide
Fix Forward matches skilled tradesmen from low-income areas with homeowners and businesses needing renovation or construction work, while its year-long development programme covers the business side most tradespeople never formally learn, marketing, pricing, financial management and project management, through a mix of e-learning, workshops and coaching. This combination of market access and business education addresses two separate barriers at once, rather than assuming skilled trade work alone guarantees a sustainable business.
Why this model has continued to attract corporate funding
Nedbank’s continued backing of Fix Forward, still running similar programmes years after its original funding commitment, reflects a broader pattern in enterprise development: corporate funders increasingly favour programmes that combine skills training with real market access, rather than training alone, because the combination produces measurably more sustainable small businesses. For tradespeople specifically, this addresses the credibility gap that often prevents skilled but unbranded workers from winning larger or repeat contracts.
What tradespeople should look for in a similar programme
Beyond the training content itself, a strong enterprise development programme should offer genuine market access, real referrals or client connections, and a screening process that maintains quality standards, since a programme’s credibility with its own client network is what actually generates work for participants. Programmes backed by an established corporate partner tend to offer more consistent long-term support than shorter, one-off training initiatives.
Frequently asked questions
What does an enterprise development programme like Fix Forward actually offer?
Business training in marketing, pricing and financial management, combined with real access to a client network seeking skilled tradespeople.
Why do skilled tradespeople need business training specifically?
Strong technical skills don’t automatically translate into the ability to price, market and manage a sustainable business.
Is Fix Forward still running programmes like this?
Yes, it continues to run similar Nedbank-backed enterprise development programmes for tradespeople years after its original funding commitment.
Why do corporate funders favour combined training-and-market-access programmes?
They tend to produce more sustainable small businesses than training alone, since participants gain both the skills and the opportunities to use them.
What should a tradesperson look for in a similar programme?
Genuine market access and referrals, not just training content, plus backing from an established, credible partner.
Originally published in February 2018. Updated September 2026.
Enterprise and skills development support via the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.
Originally published in February 2018. Updated September 2026 to confirm Fix Forward continues running similar Nedbank-backed enterprise development programmes years after this original funding commitment.
