Building talent and delivering work-ready individuals in the Cape region has seen training solutions provider Metro Minds change tack ever so slightly, now introducing programmes for school leavers. Having opened an office and training centre in Milnerton in Cape Town, Johannesburg-headquartered Metro Minds has significantly expanded its footprint in the Cape, says CEO and founder Juliette Fourie. “From an educational perspective we have worked hard to shift our focus from learnership programmes to a few steps earlier.”
Fourie said the company had developed several bridging programmes aimed at school leavers. “We will be hosting these programmes to make sure youth wanting to enter the workplace are more equipped and ready to take up the challenges that they often face,” she explained. “Instead of picking up the pieces when they are already on a learnership or intern programme, we would like to be part of the foundation journey just as they leave matric and get them work wise, work smart and work ready.”
Fourie said the decision to open a permanent office in the Cape was paying off, with several networking breakfasts and power hours planned for the year. The company’s newly developed simulator training based on accelerated learning – set to be implemented early in 2017 – would also be the start of driving a different education behaviour into the future, she added.
“The simulator can provide an imitation of the real work environment. This could create strong talent pipelines and also address business skills gaps like critical thinking, problem-solving, decision making and leadership development,” she said.
We would like to be part of the foundation journey just as they leave matric.– Juliette Fourie
