Tuesday, 26 April, 2016
Lindsaye Mc Gregor, Wosa.co.za
The organisation develops talented, previously disadvantaged 18–25-year-old youth for employment. Its innovative programme combines personal development skills with industry-specific vocational training and practical work experience.
Since its inception, PYDA has had considerable success. In year one (June 2013 to May 2014), there was a 95 percent retention rate (one student was excluded on disciplinary grounds). Six months after the programme, 100 percent of the 24 graduates were employed. Achievement highlights included Phelisa Moni, who is employed at Spice Route in Paarl, being selected for the Burgundy Exchange Programme; and Dillon Uren, working at Anthonij Rupert Wyne in Franschhoek, receiving an award for achieving wine sales of over R80 000 in one day – their highest figure recorded to date! He was also recently promoted to assistant tasting room co-ordinator.
All 25 of the second group of students (June 2014 to May 2015) who joined the programme graduated. Within six months of completing the programme, 80 percent of graduates were either employed or following further training and education opportunities. Jacques Johannisen was selected for the Burgundy Exchange Programme and spent six weeks in France last year, gaining international experience in winemaking, and is now a wine advisor at La Motte in Franschhoek.
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