EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
On 28 September 2018, the FutureMe journey started at Christel House.
Pupils were keen to gain career insight from the employer exhibits in the hall.
Bridging the skills gap –
employers and pupils collaborate
By John Ackermann
There was no lack of young talent and upbeat employers at the World of Work Festival held
in a wet and stormy Cape Town on 28 September 2018.
S
ome 2 500 pupils from schools across
the Southern District Metropole were
bussed in waves of 300 to 500 to the
Christel House School in Philippi, Cape
Town. On arrival, the pupils gathered in
groups under tents on the playing field
and were given fruit, goody bags, and a
route map, which would take them along
a logistics chain from form to fork. On
the route were displays of products and
demonstrations by enthusiastic employers,
all keen to attract young talent that could
fill the skills gap in business and develop
future industry role players.
FutureMe, who set up and ran the event,
partnered with Spar to get many of their
suppliers and service providers on board at
the festival at Christel House.
At each port of call, pupils were
informed as to what the business was
about, what skills were required, and the
many career paths available, particularly
for those not necessarily wanting to go to
university, but rather to acquire artisanal
skills, IT experience, develop their design
skills, sales and marketing, or even film and
media productions.
Christel House, with their outlook of “We
are more than a school. We transform
lives” and forward thinking, was the natural
choice of venue for the first big festival
presented by FutureMe. The proximity of
Christel House to the Western Cape Spar
distribution centre was also a consideration
in choosing the venue.
“Spar has been an amazing partner
and the support by their suppliers has been
overwhelming,” said Nicky van Hille from
FutureMe. Many of Spar’s major suppliers,
such as Mercedes Benz, Grain Carriers, GEA
Africa, M&R Marketing, Jireh Dairies, Chep,
GRW, Fairdinkim Transport, Spar Freshline,
and even the design department of Spar,
all joined the festival.
The pupils mostly came from schools
in low-income areas. For some pupils,
it was the first time that they travelled
outside of their neighbourhood. Many of
the pupils were bowled over by the wide
range of skills needed in logistics, farming,
2
3
1
1. GEA Africa encouraged pupils to follow a career in the installation, maintenance, and
servicing of transport refrigeration units.
2. Baking skills were showcased by Spar Freshline.
3. Young pupils asked GEA Africa about the workings of a transport refrigeration unit.
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www.coldlinkafrica.co.za
COLD LINK AFRICA • January/February 2019