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Ignition Gets off to a flying start 2016

Ignition,one of Rays of Hope’s initiatives, held an all-day training seminar for its participants late January this year. Twelve eager young students attended the session, which is part of an ongoing initiative that will set them up for employment once they have concluded their post-school studies.

Sarah van Zyl, Ignition project leader, explained that these seminars are an essential part of a multi-year programme. “Ignition is not a quick-fix exercise. We work with our students for a number of years, ensuring that they are well-equipped to find full-time employment” she explained. Ignition aims to help Alexandra Township matriculants to find employment by providing loans for studying or technical training. The project fills the gap for students who do not qualify for scholarships or bursaries and have no access to student loans. Students from Alexandra Township in their final year at school apply for admission to Ignition in March. They are interviewed and carefully screened to ensure that they satisfy the criteria and character traits (ability to persevere and take appropriate action) required by Ignition. “We can only accommodate a small number at a time and they are with us for a number of years. Participants have to sign a contract which spells out the obligations of both the student and Ignition,” explained Sarah. The programme is multi-faceted. Coaching starts during matric when students are assisted in selecting the area of study best suited to their skills, interests and aptitudes. “Ignition does its best to facilitate funding for the student to allow for further study. Once this is in place, we keep abreast of each student’s academic progress. This can last up to five years,” explained Sarah, “as we get deeply involved in their careers.” Apart from the regular seminars which they are required to attend during the year, each student is assigned a personal mentor. “Mentors are a vital part of the programme; they develop a close relationship with the mentee as they meet regularly with their mentee.” Mpumi is waiting for his final marks for his diploma in accounting. “I am currently working at ABSA Bank as a data-capturer, which is not exactly my career of choice, but at least it is employment and I can start my CV. The key is to get that qualification. Ignition has been fantastic for me. The people, particularly my mentor, have been superb and this programme has taught me much about the world of work that I would never have got from my university course. It gave me practical insight to make me operational in a work situation,” he said. Tshego is mentor to Siphokhasi. “I work for a law firm and see this as a great opportunity to give back to an ambitious young person. It is actually a part of my company’s CSI programme and they back me fully. We meet regularly and I am in contact all the time with Siphokhasi via phone calls and Whatsapp. Our relationship is quite unstructured and we meet whenever necessary. I feel like a big sister to her. But I must say that this is not a one-way street – I think that I have gained as much as she has, both from my interactions with my mentee and from working with other mentors,” said Tshego. Ignition has a need for mentors and funding as we start our intake for 2017; if you would like a mutually rewarding relationship in which you can impact a young life, please contact ignition@raysofhope.co.za.

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