Companies join forces to empower youth
Local resident, Aubrey Mahaza is just one of the many success stories of the partnership between the MRP Foundation and the SPAR Group.
TWO established SA retailers, the SPAR Group and Mr Price Group, are passionate about solving one of South Africa’s most pressing challenges, youth unemployment.
They have partnered to provide invaluable retail work experience through MRP Foundation’s skills development initiative.
The MRP Foundation’s skills development programme, Jump Start, empowers unemployed youth with entry level skills and links them to job opportunities in retail and supply chain.
Since 2008, the youth development organisation has trained more than 22 000 previously unemployed youth and jump started more than 10 000 jobs and careers.
The SPAR Group’s initial investment of R1.5 million increased to in excess of R10 million.
Foundational life skills and valuable hands-on work experience, specific to SPAR’s retail environment, is taught to students.
SPAR Group CEO, Graham O’Connor, believes this investment has the potential to make a meaningful difference within both SPAR stores and South Africa’s social space.
Twenty-one-year-old Aubrey S’kumbuzo Makhaza, from Dassenhoek in Mariannhill, is just one of the many beneficiaries who embraced the opportunity to join Jump Start.
After matriculating from Margot Fonteyn Secondary School, he struggled to find employment for two years.
His brother saw an advertisement promoting Jump Start and instructed him to run as fast as he could to enrol.
Looking back, Aubrey, agreed that it was one of the best decisions of his life.
He made the most of the learning journey and passed his work experience test with flying colours.
“I took the test on the last day of my training, passed it, and I never felt that way in my life.”
“It was such an awesome experience,” said an enthusiastic Aubrey.
“I am now employed at the main SPAR in Pinetown. On my first morning I was introduced to the store manager, he welcomed me and was very friendly.”
“I work in the deli section preparing food for customers and I love my job. It’s a nice environment to be in and I have learned that if you humble yourself, people will like you in a minute.”
“The staff are like my family and one day I even hope to own a SuperSPAR with an organic rooftop garden.”
Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
