iGEMS – Unity in Africa Foundation » Unity in Africa Foundation

INCUBATING GREAT ENGINEERING MINDS
LEADERS OF TOMORROW
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?

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.

A COMPANY CEO TESTIMONIAL

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

Weekly CAPS-aligned Maths and Science tutoring

Opportunity to meet Captains of Industry

Increased Employment Potential

Mentorship and career guidance

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

INCUBATING GREAT ENGINEERING MINDS

LEADERS OF TOMORROW

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