WILDLANDS, in partnership with Nedbank and the Cato Manor Area Based Management Team, recently launched the ‘Learn2Earn’ Youth Development Programme in Cato Manor.
The pilot programme focuses on supporting unemployed youth in Cato Manor to start earning an income by building their confidence, developing their skills and creating platforms from which they can continue to learn from each other after completion of the programme.
A total of 118 young people attended the programme’s Open Day at the Chesterville Community Hall last week where they experienced a taste of what was on offer. A group of trainers and facilitators from Wildlands provided introductory training on financial literacy, small business and job readiness, which are the three core modules of the programme.
There was also a life skills component which covered the first of two guiding principles of the programme, that is working from an “asset based” philosophy, which calls for a “glass half full” approach, and building on what you have.
“From here, the group can now apply to be part of the full two-month programme, which is fully funded by Nedbank. We will be selecting 55 people who demonstrate energy and passion and are looking for an opportunity to grow,” said Manqoba Sabela, Programme Manager for Wildlands.
He said the programme is unique in that it provides not only training but also mentorship, peer learning platforms, coaching and practical assignments to give participants the confidence and skills they need to step into their earning potential.
“We really wanted to create something sustainable, so we have focused on experiential-type learning, and ways in which the participants can learn after the programme is finished; such as through the peer learning process and the Facebook platform we have created. Participants will also leave with a better understanding of how they learn, and that way, they can recreate this process in any area of work they are interested in,” said Deputy Director of the Ubuntu Earth programme at Wildlands, Simone Dale.
Senior Segment Manager for Youth at Nedbank, Otsile Mabusela, commented on what prompted the programme: “Nedbank recognised the need for jobs in the youth market and for skilled employees and service providers in society and business. So we partnered with Wildlands on this programme to begin bridging that gap while at the same time building young people’s financial competence, and enabling them to build on even the smallest income to continuously and sustainably build a better life.”
For more information, contact Manqoba Sabela on manqobas@wildlands.co.za or 033 343 6380.
