On Friday 11 September 2015, PPC employees at the company’s Jupiter plant welcomed 30 New Nation School learners to the factory.
Designed to showcase career opportunities in the industry, as well as share information about PPC’s bursary scheme, the day’s event comprised a “behind-the-scenes” visit of the plant, career conversations with site employees, and an opportunity to enjoy team-building activities.
The day was inspired by an event in July when PPC CEO Darryll Castle, PPC executives and board members spent a day at Time for Change (TFC) – a shelter in the Johannesburg CBD with which PPC has a longstanding relationship and which supports many of the students at New Nation.
The New Nation School was started in Johannesburg by the late Solly Molekwe as part of his dream to educate homeless children. Learners who attend the school come from disadvantaged backgrounds, living in various shelters in and around Johannesburg, including Time for Change.
“As such, most of them do not readily have opportunities to be directly exposed to the career options available to them in industries such as our own,” says Francie Shonhiwa, head of Corporate Social Responsibility at PPC.
Shonhiwa foresees this to be the start of many similar events to come. “Our ability to build a sustainable future for our company and country is directly related to how we empower and motivate our youth. Today gave PPC an opportunity to bring our brand promise of ‘Our strength. Your vision’ to life in a completely new way for these learners.”
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