Unemployed grads’ financial skills boot camp at Alex’s doorstep

Youth from elsewhere have grabbed training opportunities availed by an agency which recently located to Kew, next to Alexandra.

The six months training programme which started in January and is sponsored by the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) is conducted by Phahla Consulting. “It is a graduate employability boot camp (Gebs) and targets unemployed graduates in order to improve their employment readiness skills. “Three months will be on theory and the other on practical skills,” said Mandisa Kadalie, the agency’s director.

She said they relocated to Kew after initial plans to house the programme in Soweto failed and after the candidates had already been selected from a list of about 2400 unemployed graduates in the Department of Labour’s database. Hope is however not lost for similar graduates in Alexandra. “We can take in about 10 to 12 of them provided they fit the criteria and will fast track them so that they catch up with the others. They will have to submit applications before 21 February.”

The course content prepared by subject matter experts she said prepares them for the financial and service sectors in areas of high demand and, of their choice. “Among others, the candidates should have Bachelor of Commerce, Science, Administration and the Media. “They will after training, be ready for absorption in among others, the business, banking, hospitality sectors. “They are part of the country’s idle human capital which only requires portable, experiential knowledge and skills to be gainfully productive.

Kadalie said they will approach corporates and SME’s to absorb them after the course. “It is our small of contributing to employment creation punted by government.” She said the JSE is also expecting them to develop teamwork skills and stand out in performance once engaged. “Also, the JSE expects them to excel in key performance areas so that they can be utilized as ambassadors on financial literacy to school children particularly in townships and rural areas. “Unlike their counterparts in suburbs children who have networks that cushion them against frustration when seeking post-school employment township and rural children lack these opportunities.

Their next intakes will be in September. For inquiries contact them on 082 743 6266.

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