Investing in the growth and development of individuals
It is often said that by investing in the growth and development of individuals, the economy can grow and sustainability can be reached to supplement the necessary skills required for various industries. This is true.
There are many opportunities out there, however success lies in getting young people qualified and equipped to face the challenges that go with these opportunities.
There are a few initiatives currently underway to make this goal a reality. Marsh launched the Boost a School programme in April with a vision of making a valuable contribution to education in South Africa. In this vision, schools contribute to an environment in which young people transition into their post school lives equipped for the challenges ahead. They are ready to access and maximise opportunities for tertiary education, practical skills development and are eager and valuable entrants to the human resource pool.
A holistic approach
The Marsh Boost a School programme aims to improve school performance and the quality of education at disadvantaged communities in South Africa through investing in developmental interventions. For the programme, four schools have been selected from around the country: Alexander High School in Gauteng, Cloetesville High School in the Western Cape, Trenance Secondary School in KwaZulu Natal and Vukuhambe Secondary, a special needs school based in the Eastern Cape.
These schools were proposed by staff members who have a special link with the school. A programme of interventions has been designed to meet the rigorous standards of risk management, whole school transformation, alignment to Department of Education priorities, systemic thinking and inclusivity underlying the principled partnership approach.
The Boost a School programme takes a systemic view, led by evidence, investing in processes and relationships and collaborates with those who bring expertise, capacities and resources that fill gaps.
To mobilise stakeholders to weave the tapestry of support that will strengthen these schools, experts in the development sector, youth activation and leadership sector, were consulted. They participated in the developmental process of designing the programme to enhance technology for education programmes, empower parents and build resilience of educators.
Sustainable investment
There are a few developments that have been reached since the launch of the programme in April. Local advisory committees governing and managing the implementation of the Boost a School programme have been established at each school. They will also participate in impact assessment and planning during the lifespan of the programme.
The teacher support programme, which is aimed at building resilience and empowering educators by assisting with the development and packaging of learner modules and materials, kicked off in June at Trenance Manor Secondary School in Kwazulu Natal. This was followed by Marsh hosting school girls at the Sandton, Stellenbosch and Durban offices for the Cell C Take a Girl Child To Work Day. The girls were chosen from the schools which are part of Marsh’s Boost a School programme.
The first stakeholder workshop took place in May with UN-Habitat in order to plan for the infrastructure upgrades at Vukuhambe Special School in Mdantsane in East London.
According to Errol Masinga, Transformation Manager at Marsh, Marsh has set the tone for sustainable investment in South Africa’s future, i.e. children’s education. “There currently is not an investment of this nature within the industry so this might inspire other organisations to not just provide cash donations or renovations here and there, but to look for affecting a sustainable, positive difference in our communities,” he said.
“Insurance players could become partners and collaborators with Marsh to ensure that there’s sustainable transformation of education in South Africa especially in high schools. This, in turn, will increase the pool of better educated youth to be recruited or further trained within the insurance sector,” he continued.
Socially responsible industry
Camargue is also creating a model of development in the industry to authentically help empower others while also improving the social and human capital of businesses. Since Camargue’s inception, the Group has been involved in the Naledi Programme in which youth are exposed to an emotional intelligence programme.
Starting in 2010, the programme addresses the gap between youth’s potential and its actual results through facilitating greater self-awareness and behaviour change.
The programme, currently running in schools in Alexandra, Tembisa, Soweto, Orange Farm and eastern Johannesburg suburbs, underwrites South African youth potential by giving youth a leadership mindset of being assertive, confident, focused and organised, four key skills that entry level workers need to survive and thrive in any industry. The programme prepares youth with self-management skills so they can add real value as entry level insurance employees or in insurance learnerships and internships.
So far over 600 Grade 11 students have gone through the programme. Twelve graduates have trained as life coaches and work in the programme. As a result, four Naledi graduates have been part of this programme, of which two have been employed full time by Camargue.
“Currently South African youth are under-performing in schools, ultimately this means there will not be enough reliable, disciplined and ambitious young people to sustain South Africa’s future economy. Naledi fills the life skills gap left by formal education. Companies should get involved with Naledi because our youth are tomorrow’s workforce,” says Charles Marriott, Director of Naledi Programme.
“Insurers can get involved on three levels; by sponsoring an existing Naledi programme, providing a learnership or internship as an opportunity for Naledi graduate school leavers to enter the world of work and develop insurance-specific skills and company staff can volunteer to help out in the Naledi programme via training in Naledi methodology,” continues Marriott.
Editor’s Thoughts:
The development of future individuals is key to maintaining a sustainable insurance industry. Those that are keen to jump on board with these initiatives would not only be contributing in a positive way but also live up to the ethics of a socially responsible industry. Please comment below, interact with us on Twitter at @fanews_online or email me your thoughts [email protected].
