A big congratulations to the MRP Foundation’s Jump Start Manufacturing Production graduates! The Jump Starters recently celebrated their graduation day at the beautiful Breakers Resort in Umhlanga Rocks, just north of Durban.
Invaluable life lessons were highlighted at a recent graduation for the MRP Foundation Jump Start Manufacturing Graduates where 151 ‘Jump Starters’ from five of Mr Price Group’s key strategic suppliers gathered to celebrate their completion of a manufacturing and job readiness programme training.
“Be flexible in life and grasp every opportunity with both hands,” shared Natasja Ambrosio, the MRP Foundation Director. “Be confident, show initiative, work hard and continue to learn and you’ll be successful in your career.”
The Jump Start manufacturing programme tackles one of South Africa’s most pressing problems, youth unemployment, by helping the youth gain a foothold in the job market. The five-month course upskills unemployed youth to become multi-skilled machine operators and an incredible 104 jumpstarters walked away from the graduation with a job in hand.
Yoliswa Ntombela is just one of the hundred-plus graduates who is well on her way to a successful career and a secure future. After matriculating in 2005 the young mother sat jobless for years remembering how… “It was very tough. I applied everywhere but couldn’t find employment. I never lost hope though.”
Then Yoliswa stumbled upon the Jump Start manufacturing course. During her free life skills and operator training Yoliswa was given a stipend which helped support her family while she learnt new skills. The go-getter made the most of this opportunity and is now working at a footwear manufacturer and is, “sincerely thankful for this training as it was an inspiring and a meaningful experience”.
The MRP Foundation hopes to build into South Africa’s future through injecting life into the local manufacturing sector, fulfilling its vision of creating a South Africa where young people create positive social change by being inspired, healthy and engaged citizens.
