Mentoring Young Adults in Knysna & Bitou
Knysna Education Trust’s main focus is to support the ECD sector and protect every child’s right to safety, nutrition and play. An added benefit of our work is how it supports women’s growth in the workforce.
With 95% of key staff in the ECD workforce being women[1], KET inherently boosts women’s economic participation through training, registration support, and by advocating for teachers and principals when opportunities arise. Another way of helping women and young people in the workforce is through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).
Funded by the Department of Basic Education, KET has subcontracted 59 EPWP workers since October 2017. Although both men and women are encouraged to join the programme, 56 of the EPWP workers have been women. These are usually young individuals who are unsure of what they want to do with their careers. The opportunity given to them to be part of an organization and work in a team is invaluable to growing their confidence and experience.
KET has a culture of learning and continuous professional development for their staff, so EPWPs are included in all internal and external training where possible. Most of the 59 EPWP workers who have passed through KET’s doors leave with not only better admin skills and knowledge on the ECD sector, but with confidence in their abilities and improved self-worth. At a time when so many youths feel hopeless due to their circumstances and the state of our economy, it essential for managers to equip them to stand strong and believe in their abilities.
Lindsay Arendse started on the programme in 2016 and went on to stay working with KET until 2020. When asked about her experience she said this:
I Have Grown A Lot Since I Started Working At KET. The (EPWP) Programme Made Me Physically Ready For The Workplace As Well As KET Made It Possible To Grow Even More With The Help Of Training And The Personal Support Of Your Supervisor At The Time.”
Currently, KET employs five full time staff who came through the EPWP programme. One is now a qualified Auxillary Social Worker, assisting the registration team; two work in the Blocks for Growth team, conducting small group therapy sessions with children at risk of falling behind in preschool; one is KET’s full time receptionist and office administrator and the fifth employee works as admin support for the registration team and leads KET’s feeding scheme.
Amber Gallant, who works in the Blocks for Growth team, had this to say about her mentors whilst on the programme: