Her unique business offering was noted for its potential and won the 2021 Poster and Pitch Competition.  She was awarded a Heat Press, attachments and starting consumables to the value of R30,000 – along with a cash prize of R10,000 to reinvest in her business. Nkgetheleng can now diversify her business offering and substitute her income until she is able to secure larger premises.

You would be surprised to know that Nkgetheleng is a professional civil and construction engineer and she proudly states that she can build, using her own hands. This however was not her true calling.  “Children fascinate me and it makes me happy to see them thrive in a safe and stimulating environment,” says Nkgetheleng. 

During her studies with False Bay TVET College, she continued to achieve top results at each certificate level, because teaching is her passion.  Nkgetheleng has applied to study further at the University of the Western Cape, with ambitions to wear that red gown in education.

Nkgetheleng remains actively involved in her community, with the reading club, tutoring and facilitating at Lovelife Trust NGO. Maintaining an active lifestyle, she promotes healthy living with the youth through running and game activities.  
Nkgetheleng’s advice is to “Find your passion and purpose, then set smart goals. Know that anything is possible, as long as you keep your eyes on your goals and set reasonable time frames to achieve them. Don’t stop because you are tired, keep going and find other strategies if you experience a setback to make your dreams come true.”
We look forward to seeing her next move and continue to wish her well in her future endeavours. 

Having started his study career with False Bay TVET College in 2008 with a Grade 9 Certificate, he elected to study for a National Certificate Vocational in Hospitality. Once he had adapted to the College way of life, nothing was going to stop him being a success. Demonstrating an aptitude for academics, his lecturer, Ms Baleni encouraged him to apply for a National Diploma in Tourism at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
Eager to share his experience and education, Lebohang volunteered at an Adult Learning Centre. A natural educator, he enrolled for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education and soon thereafter applied for a teaching degree, all while juggling three different jobs to help ends meet.
Since 2015 Lebohang has been a fundamentals teacher for grade four and five learners at a school in Khayelitsha. Setting a positive example for the learners, Lebohang continued to study with CPUT and achieved his Honours in 2018 and more recently his Masters in 2021.
A teacher in one class and a student in the other, Lebohang is exceptionally excited to now work towards his Doctorate in Education at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
The College is proud to say that his higher education journey started with us and we look forward to seeing him reach his Doctorate stature in 2024.

Your Skill Set can include some of the following:

• Good Matric Results:

These can lead to a certification, diploma or a degree.

• Hands-on Part-Time Experience:

1. Part-time work at a fast food shop will show that you work well with the public
2. Part-time work in a call centre will show you have good communication and phone skills
3. Housekeeping will show organisational skills
4. Waitressing will show that you can work well with people and under pressure
5. You can develop your skills by volunteering in your community.  While helping others, you will also be helping yourself.

For example:

1. Planting trees or vegetables with an NGO will help you get gardening and organisational skills.
2. Volunteering at the SPCA or at a veterinary clinic will give you experience and skills related to working with animals.  Compassion and caregiving might be useful skills to learn if you are considering a career in nursing or childcare.
3. Volunteering in a local soup kitchen might teach you kitchen skills which will be good if you are considering a job as a chef or caterer.
4. Volunteering as a fire-fighter will teach you to work under pressure and under extreme conditions. Fire-fighting will definitely teach you to work well in a team.

Other Ways to Get Skills:

If you have left school before completing matric, there are other ways of gathering skills.  Look for opportunities on every corner.  Certain NGO’s and businesses in your area will offer work experience, while other companies will take you on and teach you a trade e.g. Machine Minder in a print factory, or a Shelf Packer in a big shop.  If you work hard, the company might see your potential and send you for training.  This is how you gain skills and work yourself up the corporate ladder.

Continue to Learn:

Education is a life-long path of discovery.  Short courses you might consider, to give yourself more skills for your Skill Set, include the following:-

1. First Aid Course (there are day and weeklong courses)
2. Skill yourself up on computers like Microsoft Word, Excel and other programs (there are many opportunities to do morning or evening classes)
3. Speed typing and short-hand courses(some institutions will offer part-time courses)
4. Get a driver’s license.  Having a driver’s license can be very helpful.  It will be an added skill that other job seekers might not have.  Small companies like employees to do a little of everything.

Whether you use any of these skills in your job or not, including them in your Skill Set shows that you are keen to learn. It also shows you are well rounded, self-motivated and a person who works well with others.

It is never too early or too late to learn.  You should continue to teach yourself new skills.  Skills will further your career.

Finally:

5 Important things to remember which will help you step ahead from the bunch:

1. Good results
   2.   A varied Skill Set
   3.   Positive attitude
   4.   A desire to work hard
   5.   Motivated to learn

Keep asking questions – Keep researching – Keep learning – Keep being positive!

Good things will come to those who persevere!