Carnival City helps people with disabilities through on-the-job training
Carnival City helps young, disabled people based in Ekurhuleni, to gain work experience.
For the second year, Carnival City has given people with disabilities a place to gain valuable working experience through it’s successful learnership programme.
The 15 participants currently in the programme, all from across Ekurhuleni, are enjoying hands-on training and mentorship within Carnival City’s human resources, marketing, finance, gaming, IT, maintenance and food and beverage departments.
On completion of the 12-month programme, the participants receive a NQF Level Four business administration qualification that can be used as the foundation for their advancement to the NQF Level Five national certificate in business administration services.
The programme at Carnival City is facilitated by Effective Interactions, a level one, 100 per cent black female owned accredited provider with the Services SETA which works to up-skill and empower people with disabilities in various organisations.
“People with disabilities are often amongst the most marginalised in our society, and lack opportunities to learn and be appropriately up-skilled to find work.
“Through this initiative, we can help to give them that all important, on-the-job experience, as well as a recognised qualification to improve their chances of employment,” said Annemie Turk, the general manager at Carnival City.
“This programme proves that people with disabilities are not incapable.
“They can work, participate in sports, make a contribution to society, and do almost anything that able-bodied people can do if they are given the chance.”
Three of the participants in the 2015 programme have been formally employed as guest service attendants at Carnival City following their successful completion of the programme.
A fourth student has taken up a position at Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom in KwaZulu-Natal, also part of the Sun International group.
Patrick Tolman from Daveyton, is one of the programme participants who is thrilled with his job in technical slots at Carnival City.
“I am learning so many new things every day with the help of Jabu Ndlovu.
“At my age, it isn’t always easy to learn new things but when you open yourself to learning and listen to your mentors and managers, it is possible.
“I would like to say to the guy who is sitting at home on the wheelchair that disability is not a disease.
“You can get up and live your dream.
“Anything is possible if you believe in yourself and don’t let anyone break your spirit,” he said.
Deolinda Rhulani Baloyi (35) from Geluksdal is currently working in Carnival City’s human resources department where she assists with filing and other admin functions, as well as at the contact centre where she’s been involved in manning the switchboard, handling in-bound and out-bound calls and assisting with hotel reservations.
“She encourages other people with disabilities to take advantage of opportunities that come their way.
“There are companies out there like Carnival City that are supportive of people with disabilities.
“I consider being able to participate in the programme and work at Carnival City a blessing,” she said.
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