A comprehensive learner career guidance and leadership development programme, reaching 926 learners, has benefited Grade 9 and Grade 12 learners to make and implement informed career choices. The fundamental aspects of this personal development programme are hinged on learners being aware of and developing their competencies in self-knowledge, educational and occupational exploration as well as career planning.
The programme kicked off mid-September, beneficiary schools included Mothulong Secondary, Malatse Motsepe Secondary, Tsogo Secondary and IB Damons Secondary and was received with resounding engagement and participation.
To promote access to tertiary education funding, the De Wildt Solar bursary programme was launched to Matriculants as well as the related skills, resources and assistance to effectively apply to Universities and other tertiary institutions.
âWe believe in developing the education sector and young people within the local communities of Madibeng Local Municipality, which we support. To achieve this, we work to increase learnersâ exposure and access to a wide range of opportunities, such as the De Wildt Solar Bursary Programme and other interventions that help learners prepare for life after high school. Access to tertiary studies is a high priority within our solar projectâs beneficiary communities, hence the scholarship program offered by De Wildt Solar was introducedâ said Julius Nong, Community Operations Project Officer for De Wildt Solar.
The various aspects of this overarching programme is to build learners interpersonal effectiveness and self-efficacy; increase self-esteem and motivation; develop learners leadership skills; maximize career awareness and access to opportunities available to succeed in society; broaden knowledge, skills and abilities through psychometric test, in addition to assistance to access bursary funding and tertiary applications.
âOne of the most exciting interventions includes the âKnowing yourself: Who am I (Grade 9 and 12), which focuses on setting the foundation for personal mastery, which includes the use of a manual psychometric test and various activities to help them discover their interests, values, strengths and weaknesses,â added Nong.
The Career Mapping module, targeted at Grade 12, helps a learner discover a clear path in the form of a map that guides their professional journey. With the right questions learners are provoked to dig deeper into a chosen profession.
In preparation for the final subject choices, Grade 9 learners are taken through the process of selecting subjects in line with their interests and personality type. This is undertaken in addition to a âJourney Mappingâ module for these younger learners to set 4 year academic goals that lay sound foundations.
De Wildt Solarâs Socio-Economic Development Programme has a strong focus on education and is aimed at supporting communities of Brits, Mmakau, Mothotlung, Lethlabile, Ga-Rankuwa and surrounding areas within a 50km radius of the solar project. The focus of these programmes has been chosen following localised research and engagement, to ensure that they are well informed and will strengthen the beneficiary communities.
