Learnership programmes help with first jobs

"Learners should take comfort from knowing that pass or fail, there are a variety of options available to them," she says. "A number of recruitment agencies offer learnership programmes which are combinations of formal and workplace learning. Not only do these enable candidates to be absorbed into the job market but also attain nationally recognised qualifications, including Grade 12 equivalency certificates.

Remove the catch 22 situation

Programmes like these also remove the catch 22 situation of needing experience to gain employment but needing jobs to obtain that experience that many young people encounter when seeking employment. Plus they are an ideal alternative to traditional higher education, especially as there are none of the exorbitant costs usually associated for the leaner who earns a salary while they learn."

To enlist the help of a recruitment company, send them a copy of your Matric certificate, ID and CV.
Your CV should include:

• Your education
  
• Employment history including the dates of when you worked
  
• A summary of your duties why you left that job
  
• If you are a first time job seeker you can include some of the services for which you have been paid or rewarded to do, such as baby-sitting, dog walking, house sitting and gardening
  
• Candidates often forget to list vacation employment - this is very important as it shows that you have applied yourself to the world of work and gained valuable experience
  
• You could also include projects and roles in your educational career that have taught you valuable life-lessons
  
• When typing up your CV, use a legible black font on a plain white page and avoid swirly artistic fonts, pictures and themed backgrounds, as these can be difficult to read
  
• Before you send it, check your CV for spelling and grammatical errors. If possible, ask someone that you trust to read it and look for mistakes

Once you have submitted your CV, you may be called to go in for an interview. Try not to be too nervous - remember the company is there to assist you. Make sure that you are on time and that your cellphone is switched off. If you are being interviewed for a specific job, do some research on the position or company beforehand to help you ask intelligent questions.

"By equipping today's youth with skills and real world experience, we can empower them to become the leaders of tomorrow," concludes Vittee.

For more job hunting tips, go to www.quest.co.za.