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Home  Barberton Times 13/07/11 Building our community skills
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Jul
19
2011
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13/07/11 Building our community skills |
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Tuesday, 19 July 2011 |
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Most young people will tell you they find it difficult to find work after completing their studies, because most companies require at least some form of work experience along with a tertiary qualification. The Umjindi Resource Centre (URC) provides young people with anopportunity to overcome this problem, by taking in volunteers and equipping themselves with computer skills, telephone etiquette and working experience. "Thanks to Sappi's ongoing funding, we are able to offer an annual volunteer internship programme to at least five youngsters of the local community. Our volunteers become dedicated to their work and develop a passion for the centre. They gain a better understanding of what a working environment is and what is expected of them," says Gorete Britz, manager of URC.According to Gorete, work experience teaches the employee what to expect in the work environment, how to react to situations relating to work and also how to deal with customers and their peers. Having work experience shows the employer that the potential employee is dedicated, willing to put in the extra mile and a potential asset to the company.URC recently stepped up its volunteer programme, when approached by Phumlani Mbhamali, education specialist at the Ehlanzeni FET College, to offer a work experience opportunity to three students, who had to complete the practical side of their studies. Sidwell Sibuyi, Khosi Sithebe and Cynthia Mavayela spent their July break working there."It's a lifelong experience that I will treasure and take with me, and I thank the resource centre for giving me the opportunity," says Khosi Sithebe."In their two weeks the three students gained valuable work experience and computer skills that will certainly help them to secure a job in the near future," adds Gorete.
 Sidwell Sibuyi, Khosi Sithebe and Cynthia Mavayela |
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