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?
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
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
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
Funding future leaders who will prove the investment was the right one!
Incubating a learner from an interest to a passion in Engineering
INCREASED MARKS (2017): Maths by 12.2% and Science by 9.9%
Site visits - making informed Engineering focused career choices
Year of work - linking practical and theoretical knowledge
Bridging the gap between school/work/tertiary studies