Born from a desire to address the high unemployment rate among people with disabilities, the Work Readiness Programme aims to equip QASA members with the necessary skills to succeed in the workplace. These include soft skills such as team building and stress management, as well as technical skills such as using Microsoft Office programmes.
The programme has seen many candidates successfully placed in formal work opportunities. Most recently, Nandipha Sodlula received the opportunity to work at Alexforbes South Africa, a financial service group, after completing the programme. She has been with them since July and shares her experience: “It has been wonderful. My supervisor helped me a lot. She showed me how to do things and supported me through the pressure.”
While her current role at the company is mainly administrative, there is promise of her growing into a new position. Nandipha is eager to learn and hopes to grow in the company – something that has been noticed by her supervisor.
“I’ve seen a lot of progress with Nandipha,” says Thuli Ngalo, operations consultant at Alexforbes South Africa and Nandipha’s supervisor. “She asks a lot of questions. There is a willingness to learn. She has been encouraged to raise her hand to learn something else when the opportunity presents itself. There will be more opportunities to learn more.” Thuli adds that the company would like to see Nandipha stay on.