During 2008 WorkNow opened a training division following a generous donation from one of our corporate funders, Riverstone Distribution Services. We offer training programs in life skills that provides workers with the tools and confidence to success in the workplace. We also offer courses in gardening and waitron training.  In November 2008 we appointed a training manager to the program to develop this aspect of our business . 

  

Life Skills

 

Many people in our communities just don't know how to put together a CV, handle an interview, negotiate a wage or deal with conflict with an employer.  The first stage to get them on the employment ladder is to equip them with these basic skills therefore improving their chances of gaining work.   This 2 day course, run by Where Rainbows Meet, has provided many people with these basic life skills at an average cost of R206 per person

 

 

Gardening

 

Hout Bay is not short of people who claim to be gardeners but the sad fact is that most have little understanding of what gardening is about.    Starting in September 2008, 16 gardeners from Hout Bay were the first Worknow! Gardening Graduates attending the "Cape Flats Fynbos Nursery Gardening Programme" an initiative of the Friends of Zeekoevlei and Rondevlei and Neil Major, Landscape Gardener and Nursery Manager.

 

This fynbos nursery aims to make some of the rarest and most beautiful "lowland" fynbos available to the public while raising funds for community projects in the area.  By planting locally indigenous plants in our garden we are helping to revive some of our endangered plant species and also creating the correct habitat for local animals, many of which are also endangered.  These plants are water- wise and easy to grow.  They make attractive mosaics of colour and texture, even when not in flower.

 

This intensive three day gardening course equips our trainees with basic plant propagation (working with cuttings and seeds) and general gardening skills. The course teaches skills which allow graduates to maintain and improve domestic gardens.

 

Restaurant Training

 

If you've eaten at Dunes restaurant in Hout Bay, you may well know Ellen Nortje, an energetic, dynamic and organized Dutch lady with many years of experience in the service industry.   Ellen trains waitrons in all aspects of restaurant service including hygiene, posture, speech, table settings, greeting and seating, Chef and Barman interaction, order taking, serving customers, guest interaction and role play.   Our trainees spent time in a restaurant where their training continues in the form of a kitchen presentation by a Chef and a full talk by a Barman on wines, liquor, aperitifs and soft drinks.  On completion of our initial course, 3 of the attendees were immediately placed in Pakalolo Restaurant and Bar in Hout Bay.

 

 

Can you help?  Do you have a skill that you could pass on, or have some time to give to training people?  We have hundreds of enthusiastic and willing employees who need a helping hand.  If you can help in any way or have any suggestions, please contact Julie at julie@worknow.org.za or call our head office on 021 790 1539.

 These are just some of the people trained by WorkNow!

Charmaine Mohamed

Zintle Flepu

Bethwell Nonginzi

Zodwa Fana

Nomakula Makaluza

Zola Datyulwa

Mantombi Mguzuli

Siziwe Zigwebile

Nomazizi Mbinyashe

Noluntu Matiwane

Nomakhushe Mbonjeni

Nonkongozelo Mkiva

Velile Nqevushe

Ntombinzandile Mbane

Zuzeka Booi

Anela Dyan

Zanele Ntunja

Sanele Maqidlana

Mayizukiswe Gxarisa

Lulama Moendeni

Fortunate Nolangamandla

Zodwa Fana

Vuyokazi Mgotyi

Nozipho Mnukwa

Nompumzo Maghula

Zukiswa Lubelwane

Thandokazi Damoyi

Zoliswa Konzani

Janine Moseadie

Nomncedisi Mrobo

Pauline Karumazondo

Richard Kalamba

Elizabeth Braaf

Christopher Ndabambi

Mcebisi Hlawula

Blessing Machingauta

Nadine Soul

Shameema Richards

Tanya Speelman

Gillian Smith

Marsha Smith

Waleed Koopman

Ian Martin

Shadé Solomons

Tesna Oliver

Sophia Mazwi

Governor Horedeyi

Timothy Kamanga

Zola Datyulwa

Ayanda Lester

Andile Mfunzi

Mbekisi Mashelaba

Siyabonga Zimoshile

Simoen Chomunorwa

Robert Samwanda

Sibongile Mbinyashe

Tauna Simeon

Derrick Charles

Dominique van der Bergh

Irvine van der Bergh

Mark Kroutz

Mogamat Salie Peterson

Nolukhanyo Sawuka

Richard Wakalamba

Pauline Karumazondo

Nosihle Lolo

Noxolo Toto