The Pre-Vocational Phase is a specialized program that is offered after the learners have completed their normal schooling. It offers some of our stronger learners an opportunity to learn a skill that they can use to find employment in the open labour market. The learners are given practical and theoretical training for one year in one of the following skills: Hand and Machine Sewing, Domestic and Industrial Cleaning, or Gardening.
Our instructors are drawn from the support staff at Thuthukani due to their skills in one of these areas. Learners spend most of their school day in practicing these skills in all areas at the school, in the Skills House, and at a B&B in the community. The program is overseen by an Occupational Therapist, who uses Pre-Vocational Therapeutic Principles to prepare the learners to secure work, and to sustain employment in the open labour market.
A final assessment by independent members of the community determines if the learners pass the course, and on passing, the learners receive the tools that they have been trained on to start working, e.g. the sewing learners takes their sewing machine home, and they can start working from home.
In addition to learning the basics of their skill, the program includes
- training and practice in work motivation, personal presentation, social presentation, work competence and work tolerance.
- To assist them in understanding the workplace, learners are taught
- the rules of the workplace,
- how to apply for a job,
- how to conduct him/herself in a job interview.
- budgeting (needs vs. wants, how to budget, plan for stock, saving vs buying on credit),
- healthy eating,
- how to ask for help and structure in a workday,
- type of work they can do once graduated / what to do for their own business,
- appropriate work wear and PPE,
- relationships in a workplace (Boss vs Teacher),
- taking pride in their work – quality work vs fast work,
- the rights and responsibilities of a worker,
- minimum wage & grants,
- sick leave / vacation leave,
- unions and how they can help,
- knowing how to describe their disability & ask for help,
- timekeeping,
- and disciplinary measures in the workplace.
Many of our former graduates have been successfully employed in the open labour market, and others are actively involved in supporting their families and communities.