An opportunity has opened for a Careers Manager whose calling and heart is aligned with the ethos and vision of Bonnievale 418.
Role Description.
Reports to: Programme Director
About Bonnievale 418
After the successful community-led implementation of a new skills-based high school in Bonnievale (Jakes Gerwel Technical), the Bonnievale 418 programme has been established to pursue a broader mission to invest in the lives of young people by increasing access to skills-based education, supporting learner pathways from school to work, growing employment potential within the local economy and sharing learnings with other communities. The programme has the ambitious goal of zero youth unemployment in the local community by 2030.
Bonnievale 418 is funded by the JGE Funding Trust, a dedicated and diverse group of community members who share a deeply held belief that every young person should have the opportunity to participate fully in learning and in life regardless of means or ability.
Job overview
The careers manager will support this broader community transformation agenda through leading the pathways programme stream. The careers manager will establish a careers hub to improve post-school pathways and serve all learners from Bonnievale. Key activities include identifying a range of post-school opportunities for Bonnievale learners, profiling, matching and supporting learners to access relevant opportunities, and career coaching for younger learners, including school and subject choices and performance and pathways links.
The position is based in Bonnievale, Western Cape.
Key responsibilities:
Identifying local (and regional):
employment opportunities;
learnership and apprenticeship opportunities; and
opportunities for further study, including access to funding support (through bursary or sponsorship programmes) and NQF bridging possibilities.
Developing relationships and building partnerships with employers, institutions of further learning and funders.
Developing post-school placement strategy: creating career plans and placement opportunities based on learner profiles.
Evaluating learners’ abilities and interests through aptitude and other relevant assessments, and engagement.
Engaging with learners extensively to provide career coaching, focusing on expanding career horizons, school and subject choices, and performance and pathways links.
Working with learners to access relevant employment, learnership/ apprenticeship or further study opportunities.
Working with teachers and parents to help learners succeed.
Designing mentoring and post-school support programme, including job readiness training, and building a cohort of mentors to support school leavers.
Developing a youth database to track supported youth in order to enable follow-up support, monitoring and evaluation, and feedback from youth.
Minimum requirements:
Fluent in English and Afrikaans, with excellent listening skills and speaking skills.
Proven ability to work with people who are dealing with stressful and difficult situations.
Strong interpersonal skills, to work with different types of people and to find meaningful connections to teenage learners.
Knowledge of counselling techniques, as well as various methods of psychological testing.
Solid existing employer and study networks.
Knowledge of scarce skills and in-demand careers and further education sector, including:
government structures, policies and plans (especially in terms of employment and skills development incentives and programmes), and
study/ qualification options offered through South Africa’s full spectrum of institutions of further learning.
A valid driver’s license.
Education and experience profile:
Tertiary qualification in counselling or related field with a focus on career development.
At least 3 years’ experience in counselling or recruitment, with proven track record in testing and evaluation techniques, and job placements.
Youth development or working with young people an added advantage.
Traits:
Self-starter, motivated to work independently and as part of a close-knit team.
Energised by assisting, serving, counselling, or teaching other people.
Compassionate and empathetic.
Committed to making a difference through education and youth development.
Employment Type:
3-year contract position – with a possible extension
Remuneration:
Highly negotiable.
For enquiries contact Curren Kühn on 072 682 879 or [email protected]
All applications must be received by 22 May 2020 at 12h00 (PM) via [email protected]