MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Youth unemployment has become an acute problem. This high unemployment means young people are not acquiring the skills or experience to drive the economy forward. One of the explanations why young people are unemployed is that employers look for skills and experience; they also regard unskilled, inexperienced job seekers as a risky investment.

South Cape FET College embarks on the Workplace-Based Experience programme in an effort to address and narrow the skills gap that adds to youth unemployment. The Workplace-Based Experience programme provides students with relevant experience through visits to, and placements in actual workplaces. George Magistrates Court (Department of Justice), Mossel Bay and Beaufort West Municipalities and Swift Engineering Mossel Bay, through negotiations by Selwyn Kiewiet (South Cape College Job Placement Officer) decided to partner with the college in providing students the opportunity to do job shadowing during the college holiday for the week of 3-7 October 2011.

In total, 11students will benefit from these experiential learning placements.

Students at the George Magistrates Court are from the Office Administration Department and those at the two Municipalities from the Engineering.

These students are currently in their final year of their various programmes. Being exposed to real workplace situations and the way employees carry out their jobs, work together and engage with clients in the context of everyday operational demands will be invaluable for the students. This also develops their confidence, maturity, motivation and the communication skills they need to perform well and be successful. Experience gained might help them for future job applications.
Businesses are requested to register to become a member of the Industry Advisory Committee in our quest to narrow the margin of youth unemployment.


At the court (from left) - front Mariëtte Jonck (Supervisor- Finance Section), Luzaria Makhozi (Supervisor - Interpreters), Miriam Shabe (student), Nyameka Wani (Court Manager: George Magistrates Court), Moegamat Cerfonteyn (Area Court Manager: George), Sandra Maart (student), Corinne Terblanche (student), Carla Botha (student) and Selwyn Kiewiet (Job Placement Officer: South Cape FET College). Back: Shameegh Jappie (Supervisor - Maintenance Section) and Theresa Vigis (Supervisor - Family Court George).


The Workplace-Based Experience programme provides students with relevant experience through visits to, and placements in actual workplaces. Here are (from left) front: Nazeem Pietersen (student), Jenny Kiewit (Mossel Bay Municipality: HR: Health & Safety), Dunyiswa Kopana (student) and Siyasisanda Mdayi (student). Back: Sydney Moorcroft (Campus Head: Mossel Bay), Faizel Swigelaar (student), Marlon Abrahams (student) and Moonsamy Naicker (Mossel Bay Municipality: HOD: Networks & Distributions).