Learner success stories like winning the World Cup
08-FEB-10
Veteran of four Soccer World Cups, Edison Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé, is arguably the world’s greatest soccer player. Pelé observed that: “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.”
“These words resonate well with Fasset. Fasset’s strong track record of delivery over the past decade is no accident. It is the direct result of hard work, perseverance, and a love of skills development. It is also the result of research into the sector’s need and the willingness on the part of Fasset staff, learners and project beneficiaries to burn the midnight oil,” says Fasset CEO, Cheryl James.
While technique is everything in soccer, James says when it comes to skills development a holistic approach is a prerequisite for success.
This approach is best illustrated by Fasset’s Development Projects.
“While much of Brazil’s success as a soccer playing country can be attributed to the fact that young talent is nurtured and supported through initiatives such as the Brazil Soccer USA internship, where talented 14-20 year olds practice and live with a professional soccer club, Fasset too recognises that a pipeline of accounting and auditing talent needs to be nurtured, developed and supported throughout the pipeline,” James explains.
Fasset assists unemployed matriculants and those with incomplete degrees to enter the sector through its Pakhamani Programme.
Learners obtain a Certificate and an Advanced Certificate in Accounting. Once placed in employment, they are able to progress in their career by completing a NQF level 5 accounting qualification.
“Thereafter, the sky is truly the limit. Their career success is determined by their talent, their drive and their willingness to work hard,” she observes.
Unemployed graduates, who are already in the pipeline, but unable to find employment because they lack workplace experience and some of the softer skills that are prerequisites for workplace success are equipped with the requisite workplace skills that will render them more employable through Fasset’s Bonani and Thusanani Work Readiness Programmes.
James draws an analogy between Pelé and Bonani and Thusanani learners: “Pelé was 11 years of age when he was discovered by talent scout Waldemar de Brito. Just as Pelé dreamt of being discovered, Bonani and Thusanani learners too, are waiting for an employer to recognise their talent and their potential, and to give them a break, so that they too have an opportunity to demonstrate their talent and ability,” James explains.
Fasset recognises that there are those already in employment, who require additional support to pass SAICA’s Qualifying Exam.
Support is provided for repeat candidates through the Fasset-funded Thuthuka Repeat Qualifying Exam Programme.
“These candidates can be compared to soccer players who dream of playing for their national team. Given the dire shortage of Chartered Accountants and auditors in the country, Fasset believes it is imperative, to provide repeat QE candidates with the necessary support, so that they too can overcome their final hurdle, enabling them to operate at the highest levels within the profession,” James explains.
Pelé’s rags to riches story is an inspiration to all. It is testimony to the fact that if an individual has the necessary talent, drive and determination, it is possible to realise personal dreams.
“Just as Pelé’s story has inspired millions, Fasset’s learner success stories too have inspired thousands of young South Africans to persevere against great odds and to never give up on their dream. Bonani ‘graduates’ Radichaba Malapane, and Andile Mayisela are, but two of hundreds of Fasset learners, who have success stories to share,” James informs.
Having completed his B Com in 2003, Malapane was eager to commence his postgraduate studies. Because he was unable to pay his outstanding university fees, the university withheld his degree.
“The consequences were disastrous. I was unable to continue with my studies. I was also unable to find a job in my chosen field of Accounting and Finance, since I could not provide proof that I had obtained a B Com degree. I was frustrated and unemployed,” Malapane recalls.
He applied for the Fasset-funded Bonani Work Readiness Programme and was accepted.
“This was an opportunity to make a fresh start in life. I was excited at the prospect of learning work-related skills, which would assist me to find employment in my area of interest,” he recalls.
He accepted a position at Sprigg Abbott Incorporated. “It is through this company that I have become the person that I am today. The directors were extremely understanding and supportive and were willing to assist me wherever possible. They even stood surety for me enabling me to obtain funding from ABSA bank. This enabled me to release my undergraduate degree from UCT,” he reveals.
The firm also provided him with a short-term loan, enabling him to enroll for a B Com Honours degree through the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Malapane, who has since qualified as a Chartered Accountant, is currently a Senior Account Executive at Khula Enterprise Finance Limited.
Just as the future looked bleak for Malapane at a point in time, the future also looked bleak for Andile Mayisela, who had completed the National Diploma in Internal Auditing in 2005.
Mayisela too, was unable to find employment, and seemed destined to join the ranks of the 500 000 unemployed graduates in South Africa.
“Fortunately, he found his own talent scout in Guarantee Trust Corporate Support Services, the training provider who delivers the Bonani Work Readiness Programme, and who recruited him onto the programme,” James observes.
After ‘graduating’ from the programme he was offered a position with LMD Africa Chartered Accountants in East London.
The partner in charge of the East London branch asked him to complete Internal Audit articles through the Institute of Internal Auditors (SA). “I accepted without hesitation since auditing was my first love,” he reveals.
Mayisela completed his articles in August 2008. He is currently employed as a Senior Internal Auditor at the Department of Labour.
James says learner success stories such as these are a source of great inspiration for Fasset’s Management Board, Fasset’s Management and staff, professional bodies in the sector and Fasset training providers.
“For Fasset, each learner success story can be equated to winning a World Cup for skills development. These success stories inspire the Fasset team to work even harder,” James concludes.
