In a recent “Monthly Chat with Thinus” at Training Force, two shining examples of successful learnership journeys, Wayne Dickens and So-Andrea Maarman, shared their experiences and insights. Both started as learners and are now pivotal Senior Project Coordinators, demonstrating the transformative power of learnerships in combating youth unemployment in South Africa.
The Learnership Advantage: Gaining Experience and Qualifications
Wayne and So-Andrea’s stories highlight the unique benefits of learnerships. So-Andrea, who was working in retail, learned about Training Force through a friend. She was drawn to the opportunity to gain both a qualification and practical experience – a crucial combination often missing from traditional academic routes. Her Generic Management Level 5 learnership provided her with valuable insights into management styles and workplace administration, preparing her for the fast-paced environment at Training Force.
Wayne’s journey was different, marked by a personal tragedy that left him temporarily disabled. He found Training Force through a former colleague and embarked on a Business Administration Level 3 learnership. Despite his mechanical background and initial nervousness, his facilitator provided extensive support, literally “holding his hand” through the learning process. Wayne emphasized how the learnership, combined with his workplace experience at Training Force, provided him with a new direction and valuable skills.
Both credit their time as learners for equipping them with essential tools, such as prioritizing tasks and enhancing computer skills, especially with programs like Excel and Word. They also acknowledge the significant mentorship they received from their manager, Menecia Hendricks, who they jokingly called “the main tool.”
Overcoming Challenges and Seizing Opportunities
The transition from learner to permanent employee wasn’t without its challenges. So-Andrea noted that the biggest shift was the increased responsibility and accountability that comes with being an employee compared to a learner. Wayne, too, faced the personal hurdle of overcoming trauma while adapting to a new professional environment.
However, their success stories underscore the importance of attitude and perspective. Thinus Oelofse, the host of the chat and a key figure in their employment at Training Force, revealed the turbulent period during which Wayne and So-Andrea joined. Amidst leadership changes, retrenchments, and the uncertainties of COVID-19, Training Force needed dedicated individuals. Wayne, So-Andrea, along with two other learners, Courtney and Iman, were “thrown in the deep end,” taking on diverse responsibilities from recruitment and administration to project coordination and even assisting with invoicing. Their willingness to step up, be present daily, and assist wherever needed set them apart.
A Message to Unemployed Youth: Focus Beyond the Stipend
Wayne and So-Andrea passionately advocate for unemployed youth to view learnerships as a significant opportunity for growth rather than just a source of income. Wayne stressed: “Don’t focus on the stipend. Focus on the qualification… it’s actually the first stepping stone of your career.” He urged learners to build themselves, grow, and groom for their future.
So-Andrea echoed this sentiment, advising youth to embrace all available opportunities, whether learnerships or short courses, and to see them as pathways to career progression. She encouraged those who complete a learnership to consider pursuing a higher-level learnership if immediate employment isn’t possible, as this can lead to absorption by a company.
Both emphasized the power of community and spreading positive messages. Wayne believes that if individuals motivate their friends and communities to take advantage of such opportunities, it can collectively lower the unemployment rate and create better communities. So-Andrea added that spreading “good news” about learnerships, similar to how gossip spreads, can significantly impact the youth.
Learnerships: A Vital Alternative to Traditional Education
Thinus highlighted a critical point: learnerships are an often-overlooked alternative to traditional university or college education, especially for the significant percentage of South African youth who do not complete matric. With an estimated 12% school leaving rate, many individuals feel their future is limited without a matric certificate. Learnerships offer a viable route to gain practical experience and a qualification, addressing the common employer requirement for experience. As Thinus, a triple degree holder, noted, traditional degrees often provide theoretical knowledge but lack real-world workplace experience.
Wayne and So-Andrea’s journey serves as a powerful testament to the fact that with dedication, a positive attitude, and the right opportunities, learnerships can indeed pave the way from unemployment to successful, fulfilling careers.
