Softline VIP, part of the Sage Group, embarked on a campaign that aims to equip grade 10 to 12 learners from disadvantaged backgrounds with essential life and business skills, which will aid them in their task of finding work once they matriculate.
The programme was inaugurated during the recent school holidays, and saw a group of 13 grade 10 learners from the Louis Botha Children's Home, and a high school in Mamelodi, reaping the benefits of the campaign.
Ingrid Theunissen, an internal trainer and industrial psychologist at Softline VIP, says the programme outline has been divided into three distinct sections, which are designed to span from grade 10 through to grade 12.
“The curriculum progressively increases the learner's overview and background of basic life and business skills, providing them with much-needed insight into the business world. It is a long-term project that will reach its full potential by the year 2013, when our first group of learners will reach grade 12,” says Theunissen.
The grade 10 curriculum provides learners with a basic overview of life skills, including self-development, communication, interpersonal relationships, conflict handling and assertiveness. “It also reviews personality styles and profiling, and covers basic PC literacy, which includes an introduction to MS Word and Excel as well as basic telephone skills,” explains Theunissen.
The curriculum compilation for grade 11 learners takes the process one step further by focusing on organisational skills, and includes an introduction to the payroll environment, a closer look at career choices, and an overview of successful presentation skills and good time management. It also aims to teach learners to optimise their memory and takes a closer look at intermediate Excel.
The curriculum for grade 12 learners will see the group undergoing VIP payroll system training, which is further enhanced by English business writing. “We walk them through the 'how' of compiling an effective CV and conducting a job interview. It also presents the learners with advanced Excel and MS Word skills,” says Theunissen.
The team working on the VIP Cares Life and Business skills programme comprises Ingrid Theunissen, Christie Leisegang, Madelein Botha, Lizel de Beer, Annette Viljoen and Christine Schoeman. “The first rendition of the programme was a resounding success and proved to be very rewarding to all that participated. The group of learners found the sessions insightful and have indicated that they will definitely return for the Grade 11 programme next year,” concludes Theunissen.
For more information, e-mail ingridt@vippayroll.co.za.
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Softline VIP
Softline VIP is a leading supplier of payroll and human resource management solutions in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. Coupled with an extensive service offering, Softline VIP is the only payroll and HR solution geared to meet the challenges of the modern payroll office. The VIP products are synonymous with ease of use, stability and reliability, with the flexibility to cater to the unique needs of every client. VIP promises long-term sustainability over and above legislative compliance. VIP understands the human resources and payroll environment and offers the client peace of mind by providing a total solution.
Softline VIP achieved an overall fourth place in the top 10 for medium businesses in the Deloitte Best Company to Work for Survey 2009, and a second place in the industry category “business and professional services”. Softline VIP also emerged one of 48 participants out of an overall 98 to score above the standard of excellence threshold of more than 75%.
Softline
Softline is a leading provider of accounting, payroll, CRM and ERP software solutions to small, medium and large sized companies. Founded in 1988 by Ivan Epstein, Alan Osrin and Steven Cohen, Softline was established during the formative years of the software industry and listed on the JSE Securities Exchange South Africa in February 1997. Softline expanded to establish a strong position within its area of focus in South Africa and Australia. Focused on the development of accounting, payroll, CRM and ERP software solutions, Softline has a 20-year track record as a market leader. The group has a broad range of products, offering users a variety of software solutions to run their businesses efficiently. Softline's leading brands include Softline Accpac, Softline Pastel (Accounting and Payroll) and Softline VIP.
The Sage Group
The Sage Group is a leading global supplier of business management software and related products and services, principally for small to medium-sized enterprises. Formed in 1981, Sage was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1989. Sage has 6.3 million customers and 13 400 employees worldwide. It operates in over 24 countries covering the UK, Europe, North America, South Africa, Australia, India and China. For further information, please visit http://www.sage.com.
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