Skills Development | Mr Price Foundation

Young people accounted for 63,3% of the total number of unemployed persons in the first quarter of 2020 in South Africa*

OUR JUMPSTART PROGRAMME

Our Skills Development programmes unlock career potential and fast-track careers for unemployed youth in the retail value chain. By blending industry-specific theory, work experience and life skills, we bridge the gap between school/ tertiary education and the working world. We partner with local industry and employment partners to genuinely prepare youth for employment and connect them to career opportunities — a vital part of securing a job.** Starting with just one programme in 2007, we’ve expanded into many retail value chain programmes — in retail, manufacturing, and agriculture — progressing from entry-level to management. We measure success by how many people are employed, not trained. (References: *Stats SA; *** The Siyakha Youth Assets Study)

6149

Youth completed JumpStart in FY2022.

304

JumpStart training sessions in FY2022.

52%

of youth found employment in FY2022.

“JumpStart has really empowered my life. It taught me independence and the ability to sustain myself. With the right attitude, you can always be up for new challenges and learn new skills!”

MANDISA NDLOVU, PROFESSIONAL RETAIL PROGRAMME GRADUATE, EMPLOYED AS PRODUCTION COORDINATOR AT OH TWO CLOTHING

Watch the inspiring story of
Aubrey S’khumbuzo Makhaza

Previously unemployed, Aubrey graduated from our Retail Frontline Programme before finding employment and a sense of purpose working at SPAR.

Impact through partnerships

Developed by industry for industry, upskill youth, teaching key industry and professional skills while working with employer partners to structure programmes that meet their needs. Our decade of experience sourcing talent has taught us to identify high-calibre candidates who possess a drive to build their career making it easier for employers to find prepared job-seekers. Innovation drives us to co-create new programmes that meet employer demands and solve youth unemployment in the retail value chain.

Retail Value Chain Programmes

A world of career opportunities

Retail Frontline

An online life skills course, two days of in-person training and one week of work experience in an exciting retail environment. It shapes attitude and develops skills for entry-level retail positions.

Retail Essentials

A six-month blended-learning course that develops youth for more specialised retail roles.

Warehousing Basics

An online life skills course, two days of in-person training and interviews, and one week of hands on work experience. This programme develops skills for entry level positions in the warehousing environment.

Production

A five-month course training youth in basic production and manufacturing concepts for positions as multi-skilled seamstresses or footwear manufacturers.

Professional Manufacturing

A nine-month practical and theoretical course for graduates, that covers everything from pattern-making, designing, costing, merchandising to planning for production.

Professional Retail

A nine-month internship to build merchants of the future by equipping graduates for junior positions in buying, planning and store management positions in retail organisations.

HandPicked

A six-month agriculture programme equips candidates with vertical growing and agribusiness skills; and provides on-the-ground experience to produce well rounded entrepreneurs.

Young people accounted for 63,3% of the total number of unemployed persons in the first quarter of 2020 in South Africa*

OUR JUMPSTART PROGRAMME

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