The potential role of schools in skills development of local communities

South Africa is faced with socio-economic challenges of poverty, unemployment, health issues, drug abuse and many more. Stakeholders such as public, private sectors as well as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are trying to address some of these socio-economic challenges. For example, the public sector has initiated amongst other programs, an Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) to create job opportunities specifically for semi-skilled and unskilled people, private sector is offering learner-ship opportunities to newly qualified students in order to gain work experience and NGOs have initiated various community based programs where community members are assisted to make a living and being cautioned about health and other issues through awareness campaigns. This research has been initiated to try and address skills shortages that could reduce unemployment and further assist community members to make a living through starting their own businesses. The researcher has identified schools as one of the community resources that could be used to teach basic skills in the communities as schools have human and physical resources that could be utilized to teach these skills. For this research specific school subjects in particular have been identified as having the potential of transferring the theory that is taught in schools into skills which could be taught to community members. The community skills development program was a proposed tool and if is set up could try and address the skills shortages in communities. The research has been conducted focusing on school teachers teaching specific subjects as well as community development practitioners. The majority of research participants’ responses were positive about the setting up of a skills development program. Benefits for community members such as employment which could reduce poverty, crime and drug abuse were highlighted while challenges such as funding and availability of facilitators were also mentioned. A further study has been recommended to continue with specific processes of setting up this skill development program