Company

Social Responsibility

Real People.
Real Impact.

Socio-economic development is core to AECI’s identity as a responsible corporate citizen. Guided by a deep commitment to inclusive growth, we invest in long-term, community-driven solutions that uplift vulnerable communities surrounding our operations — in South Africa and globally. Our goal is to create sustainable impact by enabling self-reliance, education, and opportunity.

Socio-economic development

Socio-economic development (SED) is a national and global imperative which is embedded in the ethos of the AECI Group. The AECI Group is a socially responsible organisation, investing in effective community-focused organisations and initiatives, through the development and upliftment of vulnerable communities surrounding its operations. SED in this context refers to community development as defined by South African legislation. International initiatives are defined in accordance with legislation in the countries in which AECI operates. The AECI SED programmes are driven by strategic social investment, community empowerment, meaningful partnerships and good governance that ensures sustainable development by “teaching people to fish rather than giving them a fish”.

Efforts are channelled into three key vehicles aligned with the business strategy and seen as critical to improving the lives of vulnerable individuals and communities in which the Group operates. These vehicles are: AECI Group CSI Fund, AECI Community Education and Development Trust and Tiso AEL Development Trust. AECI is committed to ensuring regular monitoring and evaluation of programmes.

AECI GROUP CSI FUND

In South Africa the AECI Group allocates a minimum of 1% of its net profits after tax toward community development in an ethical and responsible manner in adherence to the B-BBEE Codes of Good Practice. Furthermore, The King Report on Corporate Governance promotes good social and environmental practices as part of good business practice. Internationally, the AECI Group aims to embrace the responsibility for corporate actions and to encourage a positive impact on the environment and stakeholders that benefit the organisation and the environment in which the company conducts its business.

THE AECI GROUP CSI FUND PROGRAMMES

Education for Life

Programme objectives:

  • Improve learner outcomes
  • Improve educator skills and knowledge
Infant and OVC

Programme objectives:

  • Provide emergency response for abused and abandoned infants
  • Provide holistic care and support for OVCs
Inclusion

Programme objectives:

  • Increase educational opportunities for PWD
  • Improve the artisanal skills of PWD
Environmental Awareness

Programme objectives:

  • Increase environmental awareness among school children
  • Provide environmentally-focused community upliftment

Partnering for Progress

Join us in creating lasting change and a better future.

AECI COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT TRUST

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Applicants can apply to one (or more) of the following programmes:

  • The Education Programme
  • The Skills Development Programme
  • The “Water for Tomorrow” Environmental Programme
  • The Food Security Programme

TRUST PROGRAMMES

Education

The Education programme aims to build bridges to enable access to professional qualifications for young adults

Target beneficiaries:

  • Young adult school leavers (17–20 years)
  • The Trust will favour applications that have women and people with disabilities (PWD) as beneficiaries

Programme objectives:

  • To increase options for young school leavers to access professional qualifications through post-matric studies and university foundation education programmes
  • To create a sustainable pipeline of school leavers who are be better prepared for accessing quality tertiary education
  • To improve graduation rates at universities in South Africa
Skills Development

This programme aims to support skills development in line with the national priority of increasing the number of artisans and technically skilled people

Target beneficiaries:

  • School leavers who want to pursue careers as: welders, plumbers, electricians, fitters and turners, and instrumentation technicians
  • At least 30% of beneficiaries must be women
  • The Trust will favour applications that have people with disabilities as beneficiaries

Programme objectives:

  • To improve intermediate artisan and technical competencies
  • To fast-track entry into artisan and technical programmes
  • To collaborate with AECI suppliers and customers on artisan and technical placements
Water for Tomorrow

The Water for Tomorrow programme aims to provide education and awareness on issues of water conservation and strengthen efforts to provide potable water to communities

Target beneficiaries:

  • Communities in rural areas
  • The Trust will favour applications that have women and people with disabilities as beneficiaries

Programme objectives:

  • Improve water conservation
  • Increase access to potable water, especially in rural areas
Food Security

Programme objectives:

  • Enable self sufficiency
  • Provide access to basic food and nutrition
  • Reduce hunger

Target Beneficiaries:

  • Families in rural communities
  • Areas with lack of access to basic food and nutrition

TISO AEL DEVELOPMENT TRUST

The Tiso AEL Development Trust was established as part of AECI’s B-BBEE transaction in 2005. This Trust is funded through dividend income from share ownership in AECI and contributions.

TRUST PROGRAMMES

Food Security

Programme objectives:

  • Creating sustainable livelihoods
  • Reduce hunger amongst children
Education

Programme objectives:

  • Increase the throughput rate in basic education
  • Provide whole child development
Water

Programme objectives:

  • Access to quality drinking water
  • Promote water conservation
  • Provide access to sanitation
Health

Programme objectives:

  • Provide access to Primary Health Care