Tikkun arms Alex youth with workplace readiness skills

AFRIKA Tikkun, which does extensive community work in Alexandra to alleviate poverty, has taken its work to a higher level and now provides work readiness skills to the youth.

Over 70 students from Alex have been given work readiness skills to prepare them to face the world of employment. The 72 students have just completed a six-month course and graduated with certificates that confrim their readiness for employment and their ability to face workplace challenges.

The course was sponsored by law firm Webber Wentzel as part of its community skills development programme, in partnership with Afrika Tikkun. The law firm’s corporate social investment manager, Themba Mdlalose, said the programme, which began in Johannesburg 18 months ago, is designed to give matriculants between the ages of 18 and 35 the confidence and skills they need to enter the job market and secure employment.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Afrika Tikkun’s United States-based fundraiser Elizabeth Ngonzi urged graduates to use the skills they have acquired to obtain employment and further their careers in order to improve their lot and those of their immediate family members.

“This skills course is part of Afrika Tikkun’s efforts to alleviate poverty in your communities and you need to play your part in ensuring poverty is eradicated in this community. We have just provided resources and a platform for you to excel but the rest of that is upon you to do,” she said.

“Whatever you are called upon to do, or whatever job you get, do it to your utmost best.”

One of the graduates from the programme, Busisiwe Buso, said the programme made it possible for her to get a job.

“I have learnt different skills such as how to start my own business, how to compile my own business plan and write my own curriculum vitae, as well as what to expect in a job interview. It has been an eye opener for me and it is because of this programme that I now have a job as an administrative PA.”