The MES Skills development and job placement programme aims to coordinate, develop and implement comprehensive poverty reduction programmes in conjunction with social support programmes to ensure the sustainable empowerment of unemployed and unskilled individuals in the community.

Skills development programmes (life skills and vocational skills) are complemented with social work services, residential care, primary health care, spiritual enrichment and social relief. A holistic approach is followed that ensures the client’s psycho – social and developmental needs are addressed ensuring a sustainable exit from the programme. Within this service unit specific focus is placed on skills development and job placement.

Formal Skills development:

The formal skills development programme consists of two phases:

First phase focuses on soft skills training and is compulsory for every client. Programmes are facilitated by accredited facilitators within MES and include self development, personal financial management as well as wellness programmes focused on HIV/AIDS prevention.

Second phase focuses on vocational skills development programmes. Each individual is referred to skills development programmes according to their individual development plan. Within MES we have a computer centre that is operated in partnership with the University of Johannesburg. Other service providers are contracted to provide various skills development programmes viz. security, carpentry & upholstery and call centre. Clients are also enrolled for FET.

Follow up and job placement:

Follow up and job placement is done with each graduate from the programme. This can include placement in employment or learnership programmes. Great care is taken in the preparation of each graduate for interviews and employment and contact is kept with both the employer and new employee to monitor the employees’ progress.