Job Shadow Day at Gold Reef City was met with great enthusiasm by the 96 grade 11 learners from Johannesburg Secondary School on Thursday, 29 August. The youngsters were hosted at the property by 41 volunteer staff members from 16 different departments, each contributing towards the learners’ understanding of different job requirements.
This is the second year that Gold Reef City has hosted the learners in an initiative that forms part of a broader Career Development programme sponsored by Gold Reef City. The programme provides hands-on career guidance and life skills for grades 9 to 12 learners and aims to ensure that their future choices are influenced by sound knowledge of opportunities suited to their personal interests and abilities.
This Grade 11 group was introduced to the Career Development programme in Grade 9. These learners have been through the various stages that included an online evaluation exercise and an individualistic portfolio that illustrates their individual interests, aptitudes and highlight suitable career opportunities that then guide subject choices. In Grade 10, learners attended workshops and Professionals Day with Gold Reef City staff volunteers. Grade 11 activities include the Job Shadow Day and workshops on life skills, tertiary education options, and job-readiness training, which will intensify in matric.
Kiran Singh, Operations Director and Complex GM, says, “The Grade 11 learners who visited Gold Reef City participated enthusiastically in all the job shadow activities. This career development programme ensures high school learners from Grade 9 to Grade 12, make informed choices and career decisions that prepare them for success in the world once they have completed their Matric. Inadequate career guidance has resulted in learners leaving school with only a vague idea of employment opportunities and little insight into career direction. Our involvement in the local community is therefore a vital aspect of the property’s caring CSI initiatives, which focuses primarily on learners and their education.”
On Job Shadow Day, the learners were given an overview of the company and the code of conduct, introduced to the staff volunteer mentors, and then divided into groups to spend time with the staff in different departments where they were given the opportunity to try their hand at different tasks. Participating departments included Tables, Slots, Slots Technical, Cash Desk, Marketing, Human Resources, Finance, Food & Beverage, Hotels, Information technology, Maintenance, Surveillance, Security, Clinic, Stores and Theme Park.
Vusi Dlamini, Storeman for Gaming said, “I really enjoyed working with the students as they start relating to the world of work and promised to put much effort in their schools to aspire for a future position with Tsogo Sun Group.”
Lehlogonolo Bridget Selolo a student who job shadowed at the Health and Safety department said, “I didn’t know that health and safety falls under many things, I could study to become a practitioner and still pursue my passion to study veterinarian.”
Also, part of the Gold Reef City Career Development programme is Professionals Day, which will take place in October for 305 grade 10 learners from Johannesburg Secondary School. Gold Reef City volunteers from a range of departments will visit the school, spend time with the learners and share their life stories and experiences, including their subject choices, studies, landing their jobs, work life, and their future aspirations.
Shanda Paine, Tsogo Sun’s CSI Manager, says the Career Development programme is part of the group’s far-reaching and education-focused CSI initiative, “We believe that making a difference in young people’s lives and equipping them for a successful future is essential to reduce our high unemployment rates. Both the Professionals Day and the Job Shadowing Day are an important part of the Career Development programme and they highlight what the work environment entails to learners who have not been exposed to it.”
