Architect and Builder September/October 2015 | Page 80

Go for Gold

Tackling South Africa’s youth unemployment problem while simultaneously addressing the shortage of
young graduate professionals from disadvantaged communities in the built environment, has been the
driving force behind the award-winning non-profit organisation, Go for Gold for the past 16 years.

T

hrough a unique partnership with companies in the
built environment and the Western Cape and Gauteng
Departments of Education, Go for Gold’s education-toemployment programme has already helped over 600 learners
and enabled more than 15 companies to employ young
graduate professionals from disadvantaged communities.
The Go for Gold programme, which is strongly aligned to
the new B-BBEE codes (e.g. skills development) is not only
helping the sector to attract young graduates with leadership
potential, but importantly it is bringing about systemic change
in the lives of its students.

Visiting a site as part of
Go for Gold's
Phase 1 programme

A phased-approach
“Go for Gold’s four phase model starts with us recruiting
learners from under-resourced schools during their Grade 10
year and getting them interested and excited about a career
in the Built Environment”, says Go for Gold Co-Director,
Bridget-Ann Mullins.
“To be eligible, learners have to be taking pure Maths
and Science and be achieving a minimum of 50% in both
subjects. From Grade 11 we provide core academic support
in Maths, Science and computer skills to around 170 learners
in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth, with the aim
of helping each learner achieve a Matric Bachelor’s Pass, so
that they can access a tertiary education. We also prioritise
each child’s emotional development through weekly life skills
sessions, which aim to build confidence, a strong work ethic
and determination to succeed, regardless of the challenges
they face”, she says.
On average 80% of Go for Gold Phase 1 learners
matriculate with a Bachelor pass rate, enabling them to
study at university. But before they enter a tertiary education

Go for Gold Phase 1 learners
in Science lab lesson

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Go for Gold