BOMBARDIER CELEBRATES THE COMPLETION OF THE GAUTRAIN WOMEN LEARNERSHIP PROGRAM

In July 2007, BOMBARDIER South Africa embarked on a female learnership and mentorship programme as part of a Gautrain Social Economic Development initiative, which is designed to provide women from previously marginalised backgrounds, with opportunities to get educational qualifications and employment within BOMBARDIER and its subcontractors.

On Friday, 13 August 2010, the final graduation was held in Midrand, Johannesburg for the 3rd intake of learners. “It’s a proud moment for all of us that have seen these girls grow, learn and become business women.” said Dave Barry at the graduation ceremony “We wish them all the best for their future carriers and are glad to have been part of building the foundations to their success.”

The 1st learnership intake was completed on the 18th September 2008, with 39 of the 45 ladies qualifying for their Business Administration NQF level 2 learnership. The 2nd learnership intake was completed on 1st April 2009, with 39 of 43 ladies qualifying. 11 learners completed an Electrical NQF level 2 learnership and 28 learners completed their Business Admin NQF level 2 learnership.

Now 3 years later we witnessed the 3rd intake of Learners graduating. Families, friends, mentors, sponsor companies and trainers all joined in celebrating their success, and the supporting proud cheers were heard as the girls individually received their certificates. “Through this learnership I met fellow women striving to make a success of themselves and enjoyed the experience of working on the Gautrain project. The skills I have been taught will help build my carrier and the experience that I got through this learnership will lead to great success.” stated a proud Mittah Monyeki, employed as Document Controller on Gautrain project.

With the final Intake Omega People Solutions, who managed this project on behalf of BOMBARDIER, structured the learner selection process the same way the first 2 intakes were conducted. They advertised the program and received about 500 CVs, 130 of these candidates were tested and a database of 80 women was compiled to be interviewed by the companies taking part in this initiative. 48 learners started the program mid 2009, and at the graduation ceremony last week 43 of these had completed the Learnership. 15 Learners did Business Admin NQF level 3, 22 Learners did Business Admin NQF level 2, 6 Learners did Electrical NQF level 3. The 5 remaining learners dropped out due to permanent employment elsewhere. Of the learners who completed the learnership, 81,40% were employed.

Over the 3 years this project has offered 136 learnerships. 121 learnerships were completed and the overall average percentage of employment on completion of the learnership is 86.77%

We wish to thank the dedicated companies that offered to take part in the Learnerships, the mentors who co-operated diligently and who made a really big difference in a previously unemployed learner’s life, and most importantly well done to all the learners who put in the effort, hard work and dedication to make this program such a success, BOMBARDIER wishes you all the best for the future.

INFORMATION: BOMBARDIER FEMALE LEARNERSHIP & MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME

First Intake:

• All candidates underwent psychometric assessments to verify their eligibility for selection and 160 ladies were identified and 45 offered the opportunity to participate in the first intake of the learnership programme.
• These learners were placed at Sub-contractors, each of which is involved with Electrical and Mechanical components of the Gautrain.
• The official Launch took place on 17 September 2007 with the Learners starting in the workplace on Tuesday 18 September 2007.
• The last official day on the Learnership in the workplace, was Thursday 18 September 2008.
• 5 Learners dropped out due to permanent employment elsewhere.
• One Learner had to drop out due to personal problems.
• All 39 remaining participants have completed their learnership.
• All the Learners did a Business Administration NQF level 2 Learnership.
• Of the learners who completed the learnership, 97,14% were employed.

Second Intake:

• 43 Learners were placed after they were interviewed by the subcontractors.
• The official Launch took place on Monday 31 March 2008 with the Learners starting in the workplace on Tuesday 1 April 2008.
• The last official day on the Learnership in the workplace, was Wednesday 1 April 2009.
• 39 Ladies completed the Learnership.
• 4 Learners dropped out due to permanent employment elsewhere while they were still busy on the learnership.
• 11 Learners completed an Electrical NQF level 2 Learnership
• 28 Learners completed a Business Admin NQF level 2 Learnership
• Of the learners who completed the learnership, 83,72% were employed.

Third Intake:

With the final Intake Omega advertised, recruited and did the same battery of tests on the candidates as with the first Intake:

• We received ±500 CVs
• We tested 130 candidates and compiled a database of 80 candidates to be interviewed by companies for placement.
• 48 Learners started the learnership during the final intake.
• The official Launches took place on the 1st of June 2009 for the NQF level 3 Learners and on the 1st of July 2009 for the NQF level 2 learners.
• One year later 43 completed the Learnership.
• 5 Learners dropped out due to permanent employment elsewhere.
• 1 Learner dropped out due to ill health.
• 15 Learners did Business Admin NQF level 3
• 22 Learners did Business Admin NQF level 2
• 6 Learners did Electrical NQF level 3
• Of the learners who completed the learnership, 81,40% were employed.

Overall this project offered 136 learnerships.
14 Learners dropped out due to permanent employment elsewhere.
2 Dropped out due to ill health
121 learnerships were completed
On the whole project, the average overall percentage of employment on completion of the learnership is 86.77%

The Training Providers involved in this project were:

IETISA (Industries Education & Training Institute) who were responsible for the training of National Certificate: Electrical Engineering NQF Level2 and NQF Level 3.

Mitanoya Training College who were responsible for the training of National Certificate: Business Administration NQF Level 2.

SESTO PTY (Ltd) who were responsible for the training of National Certificate Business Administration NQF Level 3.