For the second year, Carnival City has given people with disabilities a place to gain valuable working experience through it\u2019s successful learnership programme.<\/p>\n
The 15 participants currently in the programme, all from across Ekurhuleni, are enjoying hands-on training and mentorship within Carnival City\u2019s human resources, marketing, finance, gaming, IT, maintenance and food and beverage departments.<\/p>
On completion of the 12-month programme, the participants receive a NQF Level Four business administration qualification that can be used as the foundation for their advancement to the NQF Level Five national certificate in business administration services.<\/p>\n
The programme at Carnival City is facilitated by Effective Interactions, a level one, 100 per cent black female owned accredited provider with the Services SETA which works to up-skill and empower people with disabilities in various organisations.<\/p>
\u201cPeople with disabilities are often amongst the most marginalised in our society, and lack opportunities to learn and be appropriately up-skilled to find work.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough this initiative, we can help to give them that all important, on-the-job experience, as well as a recognised qualification to improve their chances of employment,\u201d said Annemie Turk, the general manager at Carnival City.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis programme proves that people with disabilities are not incapable.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey can work, participate in sports, make a contribution to society, and do almost anything that able-bodied people can do if they are given the chance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Three of the participants in the 2015 programme have been formally employed as guest service attendants at Carnival City following their successful completion of the programme.<\/p>\n
A fourth student has taken up a position at Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom in KwaZulu-Natal, also part of the Sun International group.<\/p>\n
Patrick Tolman from Daveyton, is one of the programme participants who is thrilled with his job in technical slots at Carnival City.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am learning so many new things every day with the help of Jabu Ndlovu.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt my age, it isn\u2019t always easy to learn new things but when you open yourself to learning and listen to your mentors and managers, it is possible.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would like to say to the guy who is sitting at home on the wheelchair that disability is not a disease.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can get up and live your dream.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnything is possible if you believe in yourself and don\u2019t let anyone break your spirit,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Deolinda Rhulani Baloyi (35) from Geluksdal is currently working in Carnival City\u2019s human resources department where she assists with filing and other admin functions, as well as at the contact centre where she\u2019s been involved in manning the switchboard, handling in-bound and out-bound calls and assisting with hotel reservations.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe encourages other people with disabilities to take advantage of opportunities that come their way.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are companies out there like Carnival City that are supportive of people with disabilities.<\/p>\n
\u201cI consider being able to participate in the programme and work at Carnival City a blessing,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
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