Job Shadowing Day at Silverstar Casino on 28 August was met with great enthusiasm by the 120 Grade 11 learners from three Kagiso high schools who were hosted at the property.
There were also 76 staff members who contributed to the youngsters’ understanding of different job requirements.
This is the third year that the complex has hosted the learners in an initiative that is part of a broader Career Development programme sponsored by Silverstar in the three secondary schools – Thathulwazi, Mandisa Shiceka, and Mosupatsela. 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 the opportunities suited to their personal interests and abilities.
This Grade 11 group was introduced to the Career Development programme in Grade 9. They have been through the various stages that included an online evaluation exercise and an individual portfolio that illustrates their individual interests and aptitudes, highlights suitable career opportunities, and then guides their subject choices.
In Grade 10, learners attended workshops and Professionals’ Day with Gold Reef City staff volunteers. Grade 11 activities include the Job Shadowing Day and workshops on life skills, tertiary education options, and job-readiness training, which will intensify in matric.
Anneke Potgieter, Silverstar’s Operations Director and Complex GM, said, “The Grade 11 learners who visited Silverstar were enthusiastic participants in all the job shadowing activities and reported that the experience had given them a far better understanding of the work environment and expectations than they had previously had, and our participating staff once again embraced this opportunity to share their insight and knowledge with young people preparing to embark on their post-school journeys.” Anneke added that involvement in the local community is a vital part of the property’s caring CSI initiatives, which focus primarily on learners and their education.
During the Job Shadowing Day, the learners were given an overview of the company and its 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.
Xolisani Mbaba from Mandisa Shiceka Secondary, who job-shadowed in the Tables department, said, “This experience was very relevant and inspiring. I learned that I could be trained in Gaming and make a career out of it, which is awesome to know.”
Another part of the Silverstar Career Development programme is Professionals’ Day, which will take place in October for 1 315 Grade 10 learners from the three high schools. This number is up from 329 in 2017 and 974 in 2018, based on the feedback and success of the day. Silverstar volunteers from a range of departments will visit the schools, 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.
