Youth Environmental Services
Programme 2015
The Youth Environmental Services (YES) Programme is a year‐long training programme that provides skills and experience aimed at assisting youth developing a career in the environmental sector and other cross‐cutting sectors. Funded by: Implemented by: Recruitment for 2015: CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2015 YOUTH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES PROGRAMME
WESSA (the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa) is calling for applications from unemployed South African youth for a year‐long learnership funded by the Department of Environmental Affairs. The programme exposes youth to accredited environmental skills training, non‐accredited training and work experience, and includes a training allowance of R75 per day worked. Applications will be accepted from youth aged between 18 and 35 who are passionate about protecting the environment and interested in working in the environmental sector. The programme will run from January to December 2015 in the following areas: Cape Town Municipality: Grassy Park, Cafda village, Retreat, Vrygrond and Wallacedene Theewaterskloof Local Municipality: Grabouw Eden Municipality: Knysna and Sedgefield Application forms are available at www.wessa.org.za/DEA_YES.htm or local libraries in the areas mentioned above. Applications close on Monday 3 November 2014. For more information or to request an application form contact WESSA on 021 701 1397 or e‐mail [email protected] Recruitment Criteria and Targets: Applications are invited from motivated youth looking to broaden their understanding of the environment and sustainability. The programme is designed to be used as a stepping stone to employment and study opportunities. Preference will be given to disabled people and women. As a minimum requirement candidates must: 
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Have successfully completed Grade 12 or equivalent Be passionate about protecting the environment and be able to demonstrate some level of interest in working in the environmental sector and have had some experience as a volunteer Be between the ages of 18 – 35 Be willing to work and offer community services in their immediate areas Be a South African Citizen with a valid ID book, and no criminal record Be willing to commit to a full‐time programme for the whole 12‐month period Have a valid bank account in their own name Targets per Area: Recruitment Timeline: Cape Town Theewaterskloof Eden 60 Beneficiaries 30 Beneficiaries in Grabouw 50 Beneficiaries, 25 in Knysna and 25 in Sedgefield Applications open 1 October – 3 November 2014 Shortlisting of candidates 3 November – 14 November 2014 Interviews and selection of candidates 17 November – 30 November 2014 Appointment of beneficiaries 1 – 5 December 2014 Placement of beneficiaries with Host Organisations 8 – 16 December 2014 Commencement of Programme January 2015 P a g e | 2 Structure of the Programme 2. COMMUNITY SERVICES
Hosts & Mentors 1. TRAINING
WESSA Tutors & Mentors Workplace based learning
PPE & Equipment Accredited Training Environmental Practices Skills Programme 3. EXIT OPPORTUNITIES
Training Providers & WESSA Non‐Accredited Training Career Path Studies or Employment Accredited Training:  Participants will be enrolled in a course called the Environmental Practice Skill Programme that is accredited with the Local Government (LG) SETA at NQF level 2 and it is a 27 SAQA credits course. This course has five modules that will need to be completed in order to receive an accredited certificate from LG SETA at the end of the programme.  Each of these modules is three days long and will be rolled out during the first half of the year. A detailed calendar of training contact sessions will be provided at the beginning of the year. Unit Standard 116064: Recognise and identify the basic functions of the ecological environment (4 Credits) P a g e | 3 Unit Standard 119554: Apply environmental management tools to assess impacts (5 Credits) Unit Standard 119553: Take action to address impacts on the environment (10 Credits) Unit Standard 252453: Combat problem plants (3 Credits) P a g e | 4 Unit Standard 246463: Demonstrate knowledge of water cycle, water and waste water systems and processes (5 Credits) Non‐accredited Training:  This comprises of formal non‐accredited First Aid Level and Health and Safety Level 1 courses.  Apart from the structured non‐accredited courses, beneficiaries will also be exposed to other forms of non‐
accredited training aimed to improve general workplace skills such as professional workplace conduct, communication skills in a workplace, relationships building in a workplace, time‐management, basic computer literacy, basic administration, and a host of other skills sets that are needed in the world of work.  On‐site mentoring and practical on‐the‐ job skills training will also take place within the host organisations with whom you are placed. On‐going support for these mentors will be provided by WESSA within a structured mentorship framework. Host Organisations and Workplace Based Experience:  The strength of this Programme lies in the workplace‐based skills transfer provided by Host Organisations. Through the programme WESSA partners with environmental or conservation‐related organisations or business that identify with the aims of youth development towards a more sustainable future while focusing on delivering community services in their local area.  Beneficiaries will be assigned to a host organisation that deals with environmental issues on a day‐to‐day basis. This is where beneficiaries will be based for most of the time and where they will be required to enter into a programme of work with that particular host organisation, sign attendance registers on a day‐to‐day basis, and complete all workplace‐based assignments.  Within the host organisation they will be assigned to a Mentor to whom they will report. It will be the Mentor’s responsibility to monitor each person’s progress through the programme and engage with WESSA on a regular basis.  Host Organisations who partner with WESSA on the programme will within their own objectives and mission, offer one or more of the following community services that beneficiaries will be engaged in: P a g e | 5 o Environmental monitoring, Education and awareness raising, o Water meter reading, water saving techniques, water leak detection surveys & information sharing, o Identification of storm water blockages and follow up, distribution of municipal/host organization resources (pamphlets and leaflets), o Household energy efficiency surveys, o Invasive alien vegetation identification and follow up, o Reporting of dumping, follow up and identification of waste accumulation spots, o Identification and networking of community best practices with respect to living more sustainably (food gardens, insulation, rain water harvesting, waste management etc.) Community Events:  During the year environmental days are celebrated by the programme. Host Organisations and beneficiaries are encouraged to participate through organising events in the communities they work in. Exit Strategy: As a specific project deliverable WESSA, with the assistance of Host Organisations, will be working hand‐in‐hand with beneficiaries to maximise their possibilities for a successful exit from the programme. This could be accomplished in one of the following ways: 
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Acceptance to further education and training at a university, university of technology, or an FET college. Appointment to a permanent or contractual position in a particular workplace where the skills accumulated during the programme will have bearing. Self‐employment by the initiation of an entrepreneurial venture. Please note: Neither the DEA or WESSA guarantee any form of employment or any bursaries to beneficiaries but will work with them to ensure that they develop a sustainable future as a young leaders in the environmental sector. In order to ensure this, efforts will be made to ensure that they are: 
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Effectively mentored whilst in the programme and that progress is monitored Networking continuously with municipalities, industries and education / training providers to establish and secure specific opportunities throughout the year Encouraged to take‐up more permanent employment offers even while still on the programme and completing their accredited training modules. For enquiries please contact the DEA YES Project Manager, Mandy Noffke, P a g e | 6 on 021 701 1397 / e‐mail [email protected]