West Coast Entrepreneurs Graduate from TotalEnergies and False Bay TVET Development Programme

West Coast Entrepreneurs Graduate from TotalEnergies and False Bay TVET Development Programme. A group of entrepreneurs from across the West Coast has completed a six month development programme aimed at strengthening small businesses and supporting economic growth in coastal communities. The West Coast Entrepreneurial Development Programme, funded by TotalEnergies EP South Africa and delivered in partnership with False Bay TVET College’s Centre for Entrepreneurship and Rapid Incubator, recently celebrated the graduation of its participants.

The initiative forms part of TotalEnergies EP South Africa’s broader efforts to support inclusive economic growth, job creation and enterprise development in regions where access to opportunities is often limited. The programme focused on equipping entrepreneurs with practical skills, mentorship and tools to build sustainable and compliant businesses.

A total of 30 small, medium and micro enterprises, including small scale fishing co operatives, were selected from more than 300 applications. Participants came from around 15 towns across the West Coast region of the Western Cape, including Doringbaai, Louwville, Paternoster, Saldanha, St Helena Bay and Lambert’s Bay. The selection process highlighted the strong demand for business development support in these communities.

All participants were formally registered as students within False Bay TVET College’s academic system, allowing their training to be recognised and enabling further learning opportunities. The programme combined in person workshops, field trips in Doringbaai and Louwville, and online mentoring and coaching. It followed an action orientated approach, with a focus on practical implementation.

Training covered key business areas such as legal compliance, financial management, costing and pricing, operations, sales and marketing, leadership and strategy. Each participant developed a Portfolio of Evidence, which included a business plan and pitch as part of the programme outcomes.

At the graduation ceremony, representatives from TotalEnergies EP South Africa and False Bay TVET College highlighted the importance of targeted enterprise development. They noted that the programme reflects a commitment to equipping entrepreneurs with the skills and confidence needed to participate in the economy.

Participants also shared their experiences, pointing to the practical value of the training. Entrepreneurs representing small scale fishing co operatives and other local businesses described how the programme strengthened their operations and improved their understanding of planning and business management.

The programme also underscored the role of entrepreneurship in West Coast communities, particularly within the small scale fishing sector, where businesses often serve as both economic drivers and community support systems.

Through this collaboration, TotalEnergies EP South Africa and False Bay TVET College have contributed to building a foundation for sustainable enterprise development, with the graduates now positioned to apply their skills within their respective communities.