• INCUBATING GREAT ENGINEERING MINDS

    INCUBATING GREAT ENGINEERING MINDS

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    LEADERS OF TOMORROW

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    A structured ‘education-to-employment’ initiative

INVESTING IN YOUTH WHO POSSESS A STRONG WORK ETHIC AND THE
SELF BELIEF TO SUCCEED IN BECOMING SKILLED FUTURE ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS


WHAT DO WE DO?

IGEMS Logo2
Under the Unity in Africa banner, iGEMS, an education-to-employment initiative, is a 4 phase model which aims to create employable engineers, a programme that speaks directly to industry. We give youth the opportunity to enhance their education and transition through an internship year and onto tertiary education with possible employment once they graduate.


OUR WHY STATEMENT

 

  • ADDRESSING YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT

    ADDRESSING YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT

    Choosing engineering as a career and staying the distance depends on having access to the STEM curriculum, effective guidance and role models.

    • In South Africa today over half of our young people are unemployed.
    • Despite this, there is a serious skills shortage, particularly in industries which require technically trained professionals.
    • Many high-school students who attend under-resourced schools in disadvantaged areas struggle to achieve a Bachelor-level pass in matric.
    • Engineering professionals are a scarce resource in South Africa. The shortage of engineers is a major concern as there is a declining interest and enrolment of young people, especially women.
    • SA only produces approximately 1 500 engineering graduates annually, of which only about half go on to practice engineering.
  • INVESTING IN SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

    INVESTING IN SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

    The programme was created to better equip our eligible scholars to study towards a technical/engineering qualification and assist them to secure employment as engineers within a wide range of industries and disciplines.

    • Practical skills are gained through a structured learnership year at member companies thereby enhancing an interest in engineering.
    • An induction programme is implemented to prepare students for the world of work in phase 2.
    • Students continue to attend monthly bridging classes in maths and science to facilitate their transition to phase 3 tertiary level studies.
    • Leadership Development classes continue throughout the phases of the programme to encourage students to continue self-development, not just academically, but emotionally as well.

    THE COGS OF HOW WE OPERATE

    OUR CORE FOCUS IS development through EDUCATIONAL support programmes that empower individuals to contribute positively to our economy.

    • Hansens so far has had the pleasure of two learners join us for their 1-year pre-university in-service training. Both these learners have been outstanding candidates, with a maturity, aptitude and eagerness that is an accolade to the iGEMS programme. Our first learner went on to receive a full scholarship. Hansens is honoured and proud to be associated with iGEMS and encourages all manufacturing businesses in the East Cape to join in this inspiring programme. iGEMS is making not only a difference in the lives of these learners, but also in the future of South Africa’s growth and sustainability.

      – ERIK HANSEN FROM HANSENS ENGINEERING

    BENEFITS TO PARTNERING COMPANIES

    TALENT RETENTION OF TECHNICAL STAFF

    Committed students should remain with our partnering companies after completing the programme

    MEMBER COMPANY INVOLVEMENT

    Member company representatives participate in an HR Input forum which guides the success of the programme

    ADDING EMPLOYABLE & SKILLED PEOPLE TO THE SA ECONOMY

    Addressing the skills shortage in SA, particularly in industries which require technically trained professionals

    IMPROVED RATIO FEMALE: MALE GRADUATES

    Almost 50% of students are female

    LOW RISK RECRUITMENT

    Recruiters know the students and what their capabilities are

    INVESTMENT IN FUTURE LEADERSHIP

    Empowering students to contribute to the economy

    B-BBEE SCORECARD POINTS

    Contributions can be applied to SED and/or Skills development budgets

    TAX DEDUCTIBLE

    Unity in Africa Foundation is a registered NPO and PBO. All donations are tax deductible

    Snapshot of igems


    TESTIMONIALS

    In the Beginning

    On the programme

    Shaping our Future

    Benefits for the Individuals who make up the iGEMS Family

    Weekly leadership development - incubating confident, articulate and well-rounded prospective engineers

    Weekly leadership development - incubating confident, articulate and well-rounded prospective engineers

    Funding future leaders who will prove the investment was the right one!

    Funding future leaders who will prove the investment was the right one!

    Incubating a learner from an interest to a passion in Engineering

    Incubating a learner from an interest to a passion in Engineering

    INCREASED MARKS (2017): Maths by 12.2% and Science by 9.9%

    INCREASED MARKS (2017): Maths by 12.2% and Science by 9.9%

    Site visits - making informed Engineering focused career choices

    Site visits - making informed Engineering focused career choices

    Year of work - linking practical and theoretical knowledge

    Year of work - linking practical and theoretical knowledge

    Bridging the gap between school/work/tertiary studies

    Bridging the gap between school/work/tertiary studies

    Weekly CAPS-aligned Maths and Science tutoring

    Weekly CAPS-aligned Maths and Science tutoring

    Opportunity to meet Captains of Industry

    Opportunity to meet Captains of Industry

    Increased Employment Potential

    Increased Employment Potential

    Mentorship and career guidance

    Mentorship and career guidance

    Computer Literacy Training

    Computer Literacy Training


    MEMBER COMPANIES, ORGANISATIONS AND DONORS


    SUPPORTING PARTNERS


    CONTACT US

    +27 (0)41 582 1274,
    14 Bird Street, Felsted Building,1st Floor, P.E 
    info@uina.co.za

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