School graduates might find answers here

Upon completing matric, some parents ask their children: What now? What’s next?

The students of the 3D Academy were taken on a hiking trail in Mpumalanga during initiation week, in January 2015. They are, back (from left): Melissa Swanepoel (female team leader), Matsepho Maseko, Maggie Kaibe, Nikki Mackillican (3D campus co-ordinator), Ivan Sibeko and Nikita Govender. Front: Ed Eneyi, Julio Johnson (male team leader) and Allan Ruth.

Some youngsters might not have the answers to those questions.

Denise Cillie is the Dean of the Airfield-based 3D Academy, that helps young people to bridge the gap between school-leavers and the corporate world.

The programme entails students enrolling in a one-year course, where they are taught about personal, spiritual, career and life skills development.

Since opening its doors in 2008, the non-profit organisation has seen a total of 48 students graduate from the academy.

The students are helped to realise their strengths and weaknesses and what they need to do to achieve the goals they have set for themselves.

“It’s about matching their interests with a greater purpose,” said Cillie.

There are two intakes – in January and in July – packing five years of work into one year.

There is an intake of 10 students, between the ages of 18 and 24, each six months .

The companies with which the academy works give the students the opportunity to job shadow in their designated career fields and ultimately find a job.

“This is a challenging moment for any young person; you make life changing decisions,” said Cillie.

“We help them through the good and the bad, but, most importantly, we help them to understand themselves.”

This academy is focused on empowering young people with skills that will help them in life.

Cillie recalls experiencing tremendous changes in the students from the beginning of the school year until they graduate.

“We have become a family,” she said.

“I still get calls from former students updating me on their success.

“Hearing how well they are doing really floats my boat.”

According to Cillie, apart from the one year programme, the academy is planning to conduct three-day workshops that will take place every month.

Young people between the ages of 18 to 24 who have matriculated are welcome to join this programme for a fee.

For more information, contact 3D Academy on 011 849 7431 or email to 3D Academy@mweb.co.za.