Taking a lead in life If you don’t stand for something – you will fall for anything If you don’t choose for yourself – others will choose for you If you don’t do it yourself – others will do it for you or do it to you If you don’t create change – change will create you
Recruitment Our Youth Empowerment Training targets motivated young people between the ages of 17 and 25 years old, who want to contribute positively to society. They must have attained a minimum educational level of Grade 9 (Standard 7), be unemployed and have no criminal record.
The participation is entirely voluntary and free to all young residents of the Western Cape Province, but arrangement can be made for youngsters from the other Provinces. Interested youngsters can apply online (How to apply), can download the application form or get in direct contact with the Academy for the application. After the application, candidates are invited for interviews and medical/physical assessment before being selected for the training. Each course accommodates normally around 100 to 120 students.
Overview Our residential training is divided into four stages, which all students have to go through: Orientation Phase, Outdoor Phase, Skills Phase and the Community Phase. During each phase, the students are exposed to extensive physical activities, different learning areas and voluntary work to achieve personal development and to encourage them to become positive role models. They acquire social values, environmental awareness, life and leadership skills as well as career skills. Throughout the program, students have access to individual counselling and life coaching based on individual assessment. Furthermore, parent workshops and family sessions are offered to promote positive parenting and caring families in the communities
Daily Routine during the Empowerment Training It is a 16-17 hours intense, but exciting day from 5am to 9.30pm seven days a week for the 3 months while you are here at the Academy!
5am Wake up
5.15am Physical Training (e.g. Aerobics)
6am Ablution & Preparation for Inspection (cleaning the hostel)
7am Breakfast
8am Inspection
8.30am Assembly (Singing National Anthem, Prayer, Infos for the day)
9am Classes/Activities
10.30am Tea Break
12.30 Lunch Break
2pm Classes/Activities
3.30pm End of Classes
4pm Sport Activities (e.g. Running, Aerobics, Swimming)
6pm Supper Time
6.30pm Shower
7pm Recreation (e.g. Table Tennis, Pool, Darts, Study Time)
9pm Debriefing about the day/Quiet Time
9.30pm Lights Out/Sleeping Time
Orientation Phase The Orientation Phase lays a firm foundation for the subsequent training by establishing a disciplined daily routine where neatness and personal hygiene are emphasised. This is coupled with life skills like goal setting, conflict management and personal development. The students also cover basic health and nutrition, HIV/Aids and sexual harassment, as well as first aid (level 1), fire fighting and environmental awareness.
Outdoor Phase In the Outdoor Phase, the students head to the great outdoors where they can practice the newly acquired life skills, especially teamwork and problem solving. Their personal limits are tested and individual awareness is encouraged, while learning to abseil, kayak, rock climb and hike, amongst a host of other challenging activities. After this phase, students are allowed to see visitors for the first time since the start of the course. By this time, they are all fit, highly motivated and their self confidence is obvious.
Skills Phase The Skills Phase introduces the students to basic job skills in cooperation with different service providers, which are accredited according to specific Unit Standards. The wide range of subjects, chosen according to the needs in the job market, may vary from course to course depending on demand. Car maintenance, welding, carpentry, hairdressing, tailoring, homecare and electrical circuitry are covered in hands-on classes. They can also choose basic business administration, catering, basic computer skills or tourism.
Community Phase The final Community Phase is the preparation for life back in the ‘real’ world and focuses on life orientation skills and career guidance. Affiliation with one of our Chrysalis Community Youth Clubs or a community organisation is encouraged whereby much emphasis is placed on positive community work like sports coaching in schools or neighbourhood watch patrolling. This participation helps students to appreciate the possibility of wider work opportunities and encourages them to get involved with the community.
Graduation Finally, after three exciting months, the students present their own items for the graduation program from traditional (gumboot dance) to modern (breakdancing) to their proud parents and friends. All graduation ceremonies take place at the Academy and are not only attended by students and their families, but also by guests from the business sector as well as community leaders and network organizations. After graduation, the graduates leave for their homes, where they have the chance to become active volunteers through our Chrysalis Community Youth Clubs or other community organisations.
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