Programme

Bridging Year Academy

Good Work Foundation’s Bridging Year Academy programme is a year-long course with eight streams that aim to “bridge the gap” between what young people may have learnt in high school and what they need to know in the 21st-century workplace, at university or college, or as aspiring entrepreneurs.

Find out how you can sponsor a BYA student for a year

Programme Stats

Bridgingyearacademy featured computer 2x

Number of Staff

31

Number of Students

360

Core programme attributes

Good Work Foundation’s Bridging Year Academy (BYA) provides school leavers and young adults with the opportunity to enhance their skills to become work-ready or better navigate life as a tertiary education student.

The streams in this 12-month-long programme include:

* English (including the Bite-Size English programme)

* Employability

* Digital Skills/ICDL (the International Certificate of Digital Literacy)

* Online Learning

* Digital Footprint

* Career Pathing

* Ready to Work & Financial Literacy

* Introduction to Entrepreneurship

The BYA programme has evolved over the years into this holistic offering that is grounded in applied learning with these eight core streams as well as BYA Plus (BYA+) – where our students put their core learning into practice. In this BYA+ offering, students:

- Spend time in reading circles, where they read out loud together from interesting books written by South African authors

- Enjoy tablet time, where they use tablets or computers for additional time to practise the skills they’ve learned during class or work on assignments

- Practise mindfulness and yoga and play word games, riddles and board games, helping them bond as a group, relax and have fun together

The need for such a bridging programme is vast in South Africa: Good Work Foundation operates digital learning campuses in rural Mpumalanga and the Free State, where youth unemployment is at astronomical levels.

With many schools ill-equipped to cater for the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution – not just technology skills but also creativity and problem solving – GWF is stepping in to bridge the gap between school and what lies beyond. In the BYA, young adults gain the skills, self-drive and motivation to take their next steps in life with confidence and purpose.

Students are on campus for three hours each day, and are asked to contribute a R700 commitment fee. They graduate between late November and early December. We aim for at least 70% of BYA students to go into a job or an internship, start their own business or explore a further study opportunity within 12 months of graduating.

Eight streams of curriculum

English
Robust English language curriculum. focusing on increasing reading and writing competency, and oral and aural skills. Students experience vocabulary growth and increased motivation, confidence and self-esteem. Addresses useful topics which build our students’ knowledge and critical thinking skills. Each student completes a pre- and post-ELSA (English Literacy Skills Assessment) and the Bite Size English Programme.
Employability
Focuses on understanding of 12 categories of employability (e.g. attitude, service, creativity), broken down into 60 skills (e.g. purpose, reflection, curiosity, time management). National Employability Certificate: students develop skills via an online learning platform, enabling them to gain meaningful employment, enjoy their work and contribute to their workplace or small business.
Digital Skills
Students improve their digital literacy through the International Certification of Digital Literacy (ICDL). Training provided in MS Word, Presentations, Excel, Database, IT Security, Online Security and Online Essentials. The ICDL is the world’s leading computer skills certification and an end-user computer certification that prepares our Bridging Year Academy students to step into the workplace with confidence.
Online Learning
Introduced once students have improved their digital and English literacy. Helps students harness the power of the internet by connecting them to further online programmes. Choose online courses aligned to the interests that they have identified in the Career stream. Learning online is empowering, drives the value of lifelong learning, and develops students’ self-discipline and responsibility for self-development.
Digital Footprint
Fosters an understanding of the world of social media. Leverages technology to connect students to the global village, helping them to manage their “brand” and online reputation across platforms. Students learn how to detect ‘fake news’, Ponzi schemes and online scams to protect themselves and support critical thinking about everything they hear and read.
Career Pathing
Students embark on a journey of self-discovery, exploring their personality, values, skills and interests, and taking charge of their personal finances. Supports them in choosing a career path, instead of ‘just a job’. Career Interest Profile (CIP) & Ryff Wellbeing Scale tool: a psychometric instrument designed to help students create their identity statements and life paths, and sense of wellbeing.
Introduction to Entrepreneurship
Equips students with a foundational understanding of entrepreneurship, focusing on identifying opportunities, developing business ideas, and understanding the basics of business planning and management. Through interactive activities and real-world examples, students are encouraged to think creatively, problem-solve and take calculated risks.
Ready to Work & Financial Literacy
Ready to Work is an education and skill development initiative designed to help young people go from learning to earning. It assists with the transition from education to the workplace and equips students through an online programme supported by GWF facilitators. Training includes: 1. Work skills 2. People skills 3. Stress management 4. 'Side hustles'

Programme Details:

Curriculum: English, Employability, Digital Skills, Online Learning, Digital Footprint, Career Pathing, Introduction to Entrepreneurship, Ready to Work & Financial Literacy

Programme Managers: Kathy Knott, Ntsako Mandlazi

Donate to Bridging Year Academy

Donate Today

Testimonials

“Investec is a proud supporter of the Good Work Foundation digital learning campus model. I have seen first-hand how this innovative South African team is reimagining education so that more young Africans are part of a digital future.”
— Fani Titi, CEO of Investec
“Absa is one of the long-standing donors supporting the vision and mission of the Good Work Foundation. Our support continues because of the great and sustainable impact we see them realise in the communities they work in.”
— Sazini Mojapelo, former managing executive for corporate citizenship at Absa Group
“We have been so blessed to have been founding partners of the Good Work Foundation’s story, from its 1997 dreams to its vision, creation and humble beginnings in 2012 to now.”
— Dave Varty, co-founder and owner of Londolozi Game Reserve

Bridging Year Academy Managers

Kathy Knott

Bridging Year Academy Programme Manager

How would you describe your personal brand?

I love helping people to find their path in life. My personal brand is about exploration and appreciation – of both the self and the world.

What are your goals and aspirations?

My goal is to be part of the solution for South Africa, helping young women and men to find a sense of purpose and meaningful work. I strive to embrace lifelong learning, and have both a curiosity for everything and a growth mindset.

What do you consider to be your most impressive achievements?

I am so privileged to be part of the team that has grown the Bridging Year Academy into the holistic programme it is today. I hope and trust that it will continue to go from strength to strength and spread like a beautiful, pink web across our country.

What's one quirky or fun fact about you?

I have my best ideas first thing in the morning, after a good night’s sleep. Often they wake me up!

Ntsako Mandlazi

Bridging Year Academy Manager

How would you describe your personal brand?

Everyone deserves a chance at education, regardless of their age and location. I work on pouring everything I have into what I do, so that when I leave this Earth, I leave fulfilled.

What are your goals and aspirations?

I work towards creating opportunities for people who want to learn, growing myself academically with relevant skills needed to succeed in the 21^st century, so that I can always be of service to those who need help.

What do you consider to be your most impressive achievements?

Being the campus manager of Huntington Campus, leading the team and achieving excellent results. I was able to build and maintain good relationships with the schools and community at large. I mentored and led people who later assumed more senior roles. In my current role, I am able to identify gaps and communicate them for better delivery of the programme.

What's one quirky or fun fact about you?

I can’t dance or sing to save my life, so I always avoid activities that involve either.