PPC employees, at the company’s Jupiter plant, welcomed 30 pupils from New Nation School to the factory for a day of fun, learning and new experiences, last Friday.
Designed to showcase career opportunities in the industry, as well as to share information about PPC’s bursary scheme, the day’s events comprised a “behind-the-scenes” tour of the plant, career conversations with site employees and an opportunity to enjoy team-building activities, including a giant Jenga (sponsored by Worx Group).
The day was inspired by an internal event in July, this year, when PPC CEO Darryll Castle and other PPC executives and board members spent a day at Time for Change (TFC) – a shelter located in the Johannesburg CBD with which PPC has a longstanding relationship and that supports many of the students at New Nation.
The New Nation School was started in Johannesburg by the late Solly Molekwe, as part of his dream to educate homeless children.
Pupils who attend the school come from disadvantaged backgrounds and living in various shelters in and around Johannesburg, including Time for Change.
“As such, most of them do not readily have opportunities to be directly exposed to the career options available to them in industries such as our own,” said Francie Shonhiwa, head of corporate social responsibility at PPC.
“Today was thus all about empowering them with information that they can use to shape new futures for themselves, and opening their realm of experience to new possibilities.”
With the career day bringing smiles to the faces of pupils and PPC team members alike, Shonhiwa foresees this to be the start of many similar events to come.
“Our ability to build a sustainable future for our company and country is directly related to how we empower and motivate our youth,” she added.
“Today gave PPC an opportunity to bring our brand promise of ‘Our strength. Your vision’, to life in a completely new way for these students.
“We look forward to continuing to play a meaningful role in their journeys going forward.”
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