How much time and effort can we honestly say companies invest in developing the youth that walk through their doors? Yes, companies have to implement Learnerships, Apprenticeships, Interns and YES beneficiaries for the purpose of B-BBEE, they also need to ensure they are paying towards the financial burdens of students at higher institutions under their Bursary Spend. In this regard companies are ticking the box, but how are we creating true impact in the lives of this future workforce? We live in a country that has an extremely high unemployment rate, this has been worsened by the pandemic. We have a high level of poverty with large numbers of learners who come from broken homes. These learners are eager to gain opportunities and will accept being part of a learning programme where they can potentially earn a stipend. However, the learnership/stipend paying model in my view has failed our youth. This has become a sausage machine that results in a vicious cycle of learners being recycled from one learnership to the next. Are these learners really gaining real-life skills that will develop them into the workforce we want for the future?
This is the very reason we have developed our Learner Wellness Programme, the elements in our programme are designed to provide the necessary tools for these learners to help them understand what the working environment entails, what is expected of them, how to carry themselves and project the correct image they wish to portray. They need to develop into working professionals, but they cannot do this without the support structures in place.
WSDP’s aim is to develop holistic beings and equip them with all the tools they need to be able to face adversity and conflict within their working and personal lives, we want to create balance and provide support structures that is so desperately needed for the youth.
Companies can select a few or all of the Learner Wellness programmes, each wellness programme will be uniquely customised to meet the needs of the company and the learners. The below diagram displays the bouquet of services:
Contact us for more information on how WSDP’s Wellness Programme can be beneficial to your employees or learners entering your workplace.
Click here for more information or complete a booking enquiry for one of WSDP service offerings