The QASA Work Readiness Programme continues to empower people with disabilities through training and work opportunities
Born from a desire to address the high unemployment rate among people with disabilities, the Work Readiness Programme aims to equip QASA members with the necessary skills to succeed in the workplace. These include soft skills such as team building and stress management, as well as technical skills such as using Microsoft Office.
The programme has seen many candidates successfully placed in formal work opportunities. Most recently, Nandipha Sodlula received the opportunity to work at Alexforbes South Africa, a financial service group, after completing the programme. She has been with them since July and shares her experience: “It has been wonderful. My supervisor helped me a lot. She showed me how to do things and supported me through the pressure.”
While her current role at the company is mainly administrative, there is promise of Nandipha growing into a new position. She is eager to learn and hopes to grow in the company – something that has been noticed by her supervisor.

“I’ve seen a lot of progress with Nandipha,” says Thuli Ngalo, operations consultant at Alexforbes South Africa and Nandipha’s supervisor. “She asks a lot of questions. There is a willingness to learn. She has been encouraged to raise her hand to learn something else when the opportunity presents itself. There will be more opportunities to learn more.” Thuli adds that the company would like to see Nandipha stay on.
Second only to the physical barriers that hinder the access to formal work environments, negative perceptions and attitudes prove to be a challenge for people with disabilities in the workplace. Since working with Nandipha, Thuli has learned a lot around how to engage with people with disabilities.
“To employ a person with a disabilities requires empathy and asking the right questions to better understand the individual,” Thuli says. “It also requires accommodating them. I’ve learned to give Nandipha space rather than stepping in to assist as she is very capable and can deliver. Her disability is not a hinderance.”
Traditionally, the Work Readiness Programme partners with businesses that can offer some formal work experience to successful candidates. Some of these placements lead to permanent employment. However, the relationship with Alexforbes South Africa was approached slightly differently.

Alexforbes South Africa expressed a need for outsourcing some administrative work to QASA. The company has cyclical work needs. Permanent employment takes too long so contract work is an easier and quicker approach. The candidate is employed and paid by QASA. In turn, QASA invoices Alexforbes South Africa for the work done.
Board member Ari Seirlis says: “If we get it right, we can sell this onto other companies. But, for now, we hope Alexforbes snatches up Nandipha.”
QASA will look into offering similar outsourced work for other companies to boost employment opportunities for its successful candidates.
As for Nandipha, she encourages others to follow her example. She reflects on her journey through the programme: “I learned a lot. I finished the programme knowing what my weaknesses are; the struggles I would face in the workplace.”
She advises others to also participate as “the programme creates work opportunities”.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
Good morning. My name is Samuel Julius and I am interested in training and subsequently employ unemployed individuals who are differently abled.
Please put me in touch with someone who can assist me in my future plans.
I reside in Cape Town, South Africa.
Thanks in anticipation