The Hudaco Project – Cohort 2

by Hugh C.n. Miller | Dec 5, 2021 | Old News

The Hudaco Project – Cohort 2

Question: What is Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging?

“Diversity is having a seat at the table, inclusion is having a voice, and belonging is having that voice be heard.” 

ORT SA understands the importance of highlighting these characteristics because they all play a pivotal role in uplifting individuals without discrimination. A practical example of this is the Hudaco Project. 

The Hudaco Project focuses on giving abled and disabled individuals an opportunity to immerse themselves in the NQF level 2 New Venture Creation learnership. 

Although the first cohort has now completed its programme, we are proud to announce that ORT SA, in partnership with Hudaco, a JSE listed group, has successfully recruited a further 40 beneficiaries around the Kensington area, comprising 25 disabled and 15 abled individuals.

This second cohort has already started its programme, which runs from the 1st of November 2021 and will end on the 31st of October 2022. 

ORT SA would like to thank Hudaco for helping us live by our mission statement to Educate for Life.

The difference between fitting in and standing out

by Hugh C.n. Miller | Dec 5, 2021 | Old News

Question: What is the difference between fitting in and standing out?

Fitting in means following a systematic way of doing things or following the “norm”, as many would say. However, standing out means initiating a systematic way of doing something that would later be considered a “norm.”

Making this contrast is very important, more specifically when changing lives, because it highlights the intent and effort behind our motives.

ORT SA understands that facilitating a programme or initiative requires being attentive on our part. How so?

A prime example of this would be the NQF level 2 New Venture Creation qualification that caters to the able and the disabled. This qualification focuses on equipping learners with the necessary skills and expertise to start their businesses.

However, to ensure that learners achieve the objective of obtaining their qualification, ORT SA goes the extra mile for their beneficiaries by doing the following:

• Career Guidance: We invite entrepreneurs to speak to the youth about the ins and outs of starting and owning their enterprises. We do this to encourage the learners towards entrepreneurship.
• Specialised Attention: We ensure that our learners get specialised attention according to their individual needs by spending more time with them to enhance their learning experience and understanding of the learning material.
• Business Registration: We also assist in registering a beneficiary’s prospective business.
• Forming Relationships: We get well acquainted with our beneficiaries by getting to know their background, needs and the challenges they face from time to time.

In conclusion, we want to reiterate that for ORT SA, standing out doesn’t mean acquiring accolades or achievements; it’s about leaving the first and last impression on someone’s life and livelihood.

If you’d like to help, more individuals fulfil their dreams of obtaining the necessary skills or knowledge to start their business, contact us or donate today and help us Educate for Life.

by Hugh C.n. Miller | Dec 5, 2021 | Old News

Face the future with ORT SA

One of the things we can be certain of is that we are unsure of what the future holds. Moreover, futurists claim that we are preparing our young generation for jobs that don’t yet exist. How do we prepare ourselves to an unknown future and how do we make sure that our children are ready for the workplace of tomorrow?

ORT SA is an organisation that is constantly driven by these questions. It therefore seeks to develop educational programmes to bridge the projected gap of knowledge and skills required for the future. It’s vision of ‘educating for life’ has embodied the determination to reinventing ourselves over and over, so as to adapt to the changes brought by technology and the environment.

ORT SA, an educational NGO, affiliated to World ORT which was established in 1880, has evolved with the times and adapted in alignment to the requirement of the job market.  ORT SA offers STEM education (including coding and robotics in schools), Skills Development (in IT and Business Management), Enterprise Development (promoting entrepreneurships and supporting small businesses) and the ORT SA Career Hub to assist in many aspects of seeking your ideal career.

In the past two years, in response to Covid 19, ORT SA adjusted its mission statement to ORT2 Connect, so that we can continue fulfilling our mission of making people employable and creating employment opportunities. Now, with the rise in unemployment and failing businesses, it is crucial, more than ever, to continue the work of this organisation. And with the restrictions and uncertainty brought on by the virus, ORT SA has developed programmes that allow for remote teaching, learning and mentoring.

As a result, since 2019 ORT SA expanded its work to communities in Gauteng and into KwaZulu Natal, North West and Limpopo.  And the numbers speak for themselves;

Since 2019, ORT SA, in partnership with YES, placed 2434 youth in workplace experience with a retention rate of 97% and an absorption rate of 24%.  91 students in learnerships with 97% Completion rate (most students were differently abled).

Since 2015, ORT SA ran Coding clubs with more than 100 schools, building capacity in schools by training 400 teachers and reaching almost 5000 learners.

In 2021 a group of 12 Grade 11 Students (eleven of them girls) from Curtis Nkondo High School in Soweto have participated in a World ORT Young Entrepreneurship Programme (YEP) Competition and won the second place (1% away from the first place that was awarded to ORT Argentina). This is a big accolade to a school that is situated in previously disadvantaged community. This outstanding achievement is the result of providing opportunities and skills to these youth.

In 2021 hundreds of businesses were impacted by training, mentoring and networking events. The panel of mentors and the individual mentorship provided the businesses with the tools that allowed them to gain insight into the market and gain relevant business acumen. Consequently, many businesses found ways to pivot and made even bigger returns than they’d expected to.

How does ORT SA face the future to ensure up to date and relevant programmes that answers the requirements of future trends? Ariellah Rosenberg, ORT SA CEO, shares the following three tips:

1. Continuous professional development is crucial for gaining new skills and insight into the evolving environment
2. Keeping abreast of trends in the world and in South Africa and examining how they will impact the job market and the skills needed. (Read, Read, Read)
3. Sharing the learning gained in every possible opportunity such as in meetings, webinars and blogs. (see below links)

Check JET Flix for all the webinars offered by ORT jet and ORT SA Career Hub: https://bit.ly/JetFlixPlaylist

Check ORT SA Blog : https://www.ortsa.org.za/blog/

What is facing the future for ORT SA in 2022?

Watch this space as we will share ORT SA work in the Green Environment Education and Skills Development, new initiatives in promoting Entrepreneurships, Digital Skills programme to be offered online (and free) and the sought-after Technology in Education Course aiming at bridging learners’ gap in Math and other subjects caused by the lockdown.

Issac Mokolobetsi Mogale

by Hugh C.n. Miller | Dec 2, 2021 | Old News

YES, YOUTH STORIES – QUESTIONS AND EXAMPLES

1. How did you find out about YES? How did you find out about the opportunity?

What are the factors that led you to get the job?

The School contact me about the opportunity and, I accept this opportunity because I want to earn and learn the new environment

2. How has the experience been?

The experience is good working around kids and the pressure of submission.

3. What have been some of your challenges?

To assist on marking exam and teaching kids.

4. How has the YES Smartphone and apps positively impacted you? (Name one or two modules and its impact

              It really made a huge impact especially on a business management

5. How has this experience changed your life, or impacted those around you? (i.e friends, family, community)

I can know advice where I can due to experience I got

6. What does this work experience mean to you or those around you, given the context of COVID

             It means a lot especially on a tough time of Covid-19 where jobs are hard to find but with this program we can survive.

7. What are some of the key skills you have picked up as a YES Youth, and how could this shape your future?

Teaching, office administration and also how to run my own business.

8. Describe one example of how you went above and beyond in the work place (An extraordinary moment in which you were innovative, displayed growth mindset, or represented exactly what it means to show excellence as an employee)

Assistant teaching and marking it is the highlight and taking kids to sport field where they were not doing before since Covid-19.

9. What’s your message to the other youth?

It’s not the end of the world, the is opportunity for all of us and don’t be afraid to         Challenge Learnership

10. What would you like to say to YES?

Thank you, a lot I really appreciate the opportunity,

Joseph Thuso Dire

by Hugh C.n. Miller | Dec 2, 2021 | Old News

YES, YOUTH STORIES – QUESTIONS AND EXAMPLES

1. How did you find out about YES? How did you find out about the opportunity?

What are the factors that led you to get the job?

I found out about YES through a presentation which was done by Mrs Phulma Macheke at Mmantserre Community Hall. The factors that led me to get the job were as result of an interview which was conducted by the host school. It was my qualifications which made the right candidate to get the job.

2. How has the experience been?

The experience has been very good thus far. Being at the workplace on weekdays I’d very beneficial.

3. What have been some of your challenges?

None so far.

4. How has the YES Smartphone and apps positively impacted you? (Name one or two modules and its impact)

The modules and the smartphone have been very helpful and impacted positively on my performance at the workplace. The modules on Communication and Health and Well-being really beneficial.  Communication is the most important tool which is used at the workplace and being healthy is quite crucial in order for one to be productive at the workplace.

5. How has this experience changed your life, or impacted those around you? (i.e friends, family, community)

My family and my community have benefited a lot and they regard me as an asset as I am teaching the learners at the school.

6. What does this work experience mean to you or those around you, given the context of COVID

It means a lot to me more especially the salary component because I have child and it helps me to take care if her.

7. What are some of the key skills you have picked up as a YES Youth, and how could this shape your future?

I have picked up good communication skills and presentation skills. I have also picked up time management skills.

8. Describe one example of how you went above and beyond in the work place (An extraordinary moment in which you were innovative, displayed growth mindset, or represented exactly what it means to show excellence as an employee)

I went beyond and above by helping the learners how to spell English words because I picked up that they were really struggling.

9. What’s your message to the other youth?

To always strive for excellences and be the best that they can be.

10. What would you like to say to YES?

I would like to express my gratitude to YES for this amazing opportunity. It has really      been a fulfilling journey so far.