58 Business and training
Why go for gold?
In South Africa today, approximately half of our young people are unemployed. Yet despite this, a serious skills shortage prevails, particularly in industries that require technically trained professionals.
By
Karen Rademeyer, fundraising and communications manager at Go for Gold
Go for Gold believes the root of the problem is South Africa’ s public education system, which is widely considered to be underperforming, particularly in the areas of mathematics and science.
Consequently, many high school students today, who attend under-resourced schools in disadvantaged areas, will struggle to achieve a matric pass rate at bachelor degree level, which is the minimum requirement for admission to tertiary studies.
In 2016, the South African national bachelor degree pass rate was just 26.6 %, down from 28.8 % in 2015.
The Go for Gold intervention Go for Gold is an award-winning education to employment and public – private initiative. It was founded in 1999 through a collaboration between companies in the built environment, the Western Cape Department of Education, and civil society. It was created to improve the number of candidates from disadvantaged communities that would be eligible to study towards a technical profession, and to secure employment.
The organisation’ s four-phase model is centred on the premise that to create future skilled graduate professionals— who also possess the self-belief to succeed— requires long-term investment where the child is developed holistically, that is, both academically and emotionally.
A four-phased approach The programme is divided into four phases, and companies are invited to partner with Go for Gold by sponsoring students from Phase 1 to Phase 4.
Phase 1: High school tuition( Grades 11 and 12) After-school tuition in Mathematics and Science, Computer Skills, and Life Skills Support, conducted by Go for Gold at school campuses( Cape Town, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth).
Benefits
• Improved Grade 12 results and a high percentage achieve a bachelor’ s pass.
• Learners qualify for tertiary education institution.
• Improved self-confidence and work ethic.
• Scorecard points to partnering company.
The Phase 1 cost per student is R20 000 in Cape Town and R30 000 in Gauteng( it costs more in Gauteng due to there being less students on the programme).
Phase 2: Internship( post high school) Students spend a one-year internship at a sponsoring company, who pays them a general worker salary. Bridging courses in Mathematics and Science as well as Life Skills Support are provided by Go for Gold on Saturdays.
The Go for Gold cost to deliver tuition and training to Phase 2 students for the year equates to R18 000 per student.
Benefits
• Informed career selection;
• Significant growth and maturing of students;
• Company is able to assess suitability of student before investing in tertiary education bursary; and
• Scorecard points to partnering company.
Phase 3: Tertiary studies Partner companies sponsor students throughout their tertiary studies. Go for Gold continues to mentor students and provides life skills support.
Elements
• Student enters tertiary studies.
• Go for Gold tries to source external bursaries for students who do not receive bursaries from their Phase 2 host company.
• Very low first year drop out. The reduction in first year dropouts is attributed to the extra tuition, personal growth, and goal setting provided in Phase 2.
Benefit
• Scorecard points to partnering company.
Phase 4: Employment The sponsoring company offers employment to its bursary student( s).
Benefits
• The young graduate is guaranteed employment.
• The majority( approximately 70 %) stays with their sponsoring company after working back the bursary.
• Go for Gold alumni become mentors to younger participants.
Impact and success To date, over 600 students have been admitted to the Go for Gold Programme, and more than 24 companies have secured graduate professionals from disadvantaged communities.
In addition:
• In 2016, one of Go for Gold’ s students achieved 100 % for Science and 99 % for Mathematics in matric. A number of students showed a remarkable 20-percentile improvement in both subjects.
• In 2014 and 2015, 100 % of all Phase 1 Go for Gold students achieved an NSC pass and 80 % achieved a bachelor’ s pass.
• On average, 80 % of Phase 3 Go for Gold students complete their tertiary studies in the minimum period allowed.
• 100 % of students secure job placement after they qualify.
• Two-thirds of all graduates continue to work for their sponsoring companies after having worked back their bursaries.
• The life skills and leadership development training remains a major contributor to the
April 2017 Volume 23 I Number 2 www. plumbingafrica. co. za