After three years of weekend and after-school lessons, 197 high school pupils from Alexandra, Soweto, Springs, Cosmo City and Diepsloot graduated recently from the ORT SA Geared for Life programme.
The excitement was overwhelming as they donned their graduation gowns and received their certificates. They were awarded Work Readiness, Microsoft Computer Basics and Vocational certificates in their chosen programme of project management, paralegal practice, marketing, or nail technology.
Geared for Life (GFL) offers Grade 10 pupils from disadvantaged areas an opportunity to complete a full-year qualification over the course of three years, giving them an additional certificate by the time they leave school.
Katlego Bapela, who graduated with a marketing certificate said, “If it wasn’t for ORT SA, I would not have been able to get an internship at a marketing company. I am proud of myself because I have skills at 19 that others don’t have.
“The ORT SA GFL programme taught me how to draft a CV, how to behave in an interview and communicate with fellow workers.”
Megan Lawless, head of the vocational and enterprise development department of ORT SA told the students, “Because of your commitment to the programme and how serious you were about getting ahead, we are going to be starting a new programme in 2014 but starting from Grade 9 instead of the usual Grade 10.”
The new Great Start programme will be a bridging course before the Geared for Life programme. Based on assessments at the end of the bridging year, a decision will be made if the pupil is eligible for the Geared for Life programme.
“This certification is invaluable to these graduates when going out to look for work or being accepted at tertiary institutions,” said Lawless.
ORT SA also assists teachers and pupils in previously disadvantaged primary schools with maths and science facilitation, runs women’s empowerment groups and small business training.
