The Siyanceda project is an initiative of the Cape Mental Health Society as part of the Training Workshops Unlimited programme. Through the project, young people with mild intellectual disabilities are trained to perform certain types of work and are then placed in organisations within the community where they gain practical experience of the work environment. Throughout the training and placement period (18 months) the youth also receive life-skills training and support from a job coach to prepare them for employment in the open market.

Young people participating in the programme are provided with training which enables them to earn credits against the National Qualifications Framework.

Phase 1

In the first phase of the programme, trainees received skills, work experience and ultimately job placements in the gardening, laundry, cleaning, child-care and aged-care sectors.

Phase 2

For Phase 2, 40 young people have been selected from all of the Training Workshops Unlimited training centres. Each selected trainee will undergo comprehensive training in Hygeine and Cleaning services and related lifeskills.

Trainees will then be placed into positions in the Athlone, Retreat, Mitchell's Plain and Khayelitsha communities, where they will conduct voluntary work. Job coaches will visit the trainees at the community placements to provide them with ongoing support and to monitor their progress.

ENROLLING AS A PARTICIPANT IN THE PROJECT

Young people with intellectual disabilities can apply to join the Training Workshops Unlimited programme. Participants for the Siyanceda project are selected from those involved in the workshops.

SIGNING UP FOR PLACEMENTS WITHIN YOUR ORGANISATION

To prepare them for future employment, the Siyanceda trainees need to experience what it is like to work in a real work environment. Placement within organisations in selected communities, provides real experience to the workplace and offers a valuable, free service to the community.

Organisations and businesses in the following communities can benefit from the internal and external cleaning services offered by the Sioyanceda programme:

• Athlone
• Retreat
• Mitchell's Plain
• Khayelitsha

The organisation is only required to pay for cleaning materials.

Organisations and companies interested in applying to take on board the Siyanceda trainees and make use of the cleaning services offered on a volunteer basis can contact any of the Job Coaches during business hours or call the Siyanceda Project Manager on 021 638 3143 or email stephan@trainingworkshops.co.za.