Opportunities there for all

Starting small, but with the right attitude, enhances the chance of a full-time job and future opportunities to study and specialise, said East London and Mthatha business professionals.

Two of East London’s top retailers, who run 13 Spars in Western Gruppe Trading, started mopping floors and packing shelves, said managing director Nigel Connellan. “That’s where Götz and I started.”

Matrics joining the company are assessed to see where they fit in, and then set to work in every part of the store, from the butchery and bakery to the deli and floor.

“If you show guts and determination and are capable, willing and honest, you will be recognised and you will achieve,” said Connellan.

The manager of the Vincent Park Mugg & Bean restaurant, Rory Vickers, said they took in young people “from all walks of life” to work as waiters.

Applicants spent a few days in the kitchen, trained as baristas, and finally shadowed a waiter. Once the candidate obtained 90% for the menu test and understood the Mugg & Bean system and customer service standard, they were “A-for-away”.

Many city restaurants take in young people as waiters. Some are still at school and gathering experience in the service industry in order to open doors to higher-paid jobs later on in sales or the hospitality industry.

Border-Kei Chamber of Business director Les Holbrook urged school leavers to aim at obtaining technical skills, such as becoming artisans in construction and manufacturing.

“Towns have local economic development projects and aspirants would do well to find out what their respective focus is or will be.”

Unathi Wana, manager of the small enterprise development agency (Seda) office in OR Tambo municipal district, said matric leavers who aspired to become business people should talk to the agency.

“We offer information and advice and the necessary classroom training in the basics of establishing and running a business. We work with those who are totally illiterate. The key is to have a viable business or an idea that they are willing to turn into a business.”

Melanie van Vreeden, owner of Abantu Staffing Solutions, said young people should try to gain experience on the factory floor in the city’s strong manufacturing sector.

“Many factories have an internal skills development process which would be advantageous for the career- driven. Trade apprenticeships are an excellent career path. Your attitude can determine your altitude.

“We have a high skills shortage. Many are not degreed positions.”

Colin Beard, commercial manager of a large civil engineering firm, said they ran a programme encouraging youths to work in up to 15 sections in the firm.

Matrics could work on site for a year to see if they had the potential to make it.

Those who came through had a good chance of furthering their studies.

Getting on the job ladder after matric

HERE is a list of starting points for post-matric job seekers which the Saturday Dispatch obtained mainly from the Border-Kei Chamber of Business.

They are labour-intensive and tough – but professionals agree that despite a depressed job market, a candidate who is motivated, disciplined and hungry to learn, has a good chance of rising through the ranks.

The biggest mistake, they said, is to give up.

The list includes:

lSupermarket worker;

lWaiter;

lDriver;

lMachine operator;

lGetting an apprenticeship;

lMerchandising – needs some experience, though;

lWork on a construction site;

lTrain on a farm to become a farmer;

lWork on the factory floor and aim to advance;

lStore assistant;

lTelesales;

lData capturing;

lReceptionist;

lAdministrative work and;

lStart a micro business.

Experts recommended that before approaching a company, aspirant job seekers should build a curriculum vitae (CV) of their personal details, qualifications and experience, which could include references from former teachers, church leaders and any other professionals.

Other information could include interests and hobbies.

The CV should then be handed over to target companies along with contact details and a matric certificate. — mikel@dispatch.co.za