The Department of Community Safety offers social crime prevention and life skills training for young people from disadvantaged communities in the Western Cape.
Who are we?
The Chrysalis Academy is a youth leadership development organisation as well as a social crime prevention initiative, empowering young people to take responsibility for their personal growth. The Academy provides them with the necessary life skills and tools to become self-confident, economically productive and positive role models within their communities. Participation is entirely voluntary and free, except for a non-refundable fee of R400 on the day of intake. The programme is sponsored by the Western Cape Government and is available to all young residents of the Western Cape Province.
What are we offering?
A 5-year youth development programme which starts with an intensive 3-months of empowerment training that takes place on our beautiful campus set in the peaceful surrounding of the Tokai forest.
Students undergo 4 different stages:
Orientation Phase, Outdoor Phase, Skills Phase and the Community Phase. During each phase, the students are exposed to extensive physical activities, different learning areas and voluntary work to achieve their development into positive role models. They acquire social values, environmental awareness, life and leadership skills as well as career skills. Throughout our programme, the students have access to individual counselling and life coaching based on individual assessments.
Orientation Phase
As a foundation for our programme, a daily routine is established where discipline, neatness and personal hygiene are emphasised. The following life skills are offered:
Personal development
Substance abuse
Goal setting
Conflict management
Interpersonal relations
Basic health and nutrition
HIV/Aids
Sexuality
First aid (level 1)
Firefighting (level 1)
Environmental awareness.
Outdoor Phase
Students head to the great outdoors to test their personal limits, discover strengths and weaknesses, develop teamwork skills and experience the power of nature. Hiking, abseiling, kayaking and rock climbing are just some of the challenges.
After this phase, the students will be allowed visitors for the first time since leaving home.
Skills Phase
According to the needs in the job market, the students will be exposed and introduced to different technical skills, as part of career orientation to assist them with future job decisions. Some of the skills offered are:
hairdressing and grooming
welding
carpentry
cookery
basic computer and office administration
home care
First Aid (Level 1)
Child and Youth Care development.
Community Phase
Students are prepared for their life back in the ‘real’ world by focusing on life orientation skills and career guidance. Students are encouraged to ‘give back to society’ by connecting with schools and community organisations and doing positive community work like sports coaching in schools, helping at Old Age Homes or marshalling at events.
Who can apply?
Young motivated people who want to contribute to society by positively changing their lifestyle and:
Are between 18 and 25 years old.
Have passed Grade 9 (Standard 7).
Are presently unemployed.
Not attending school.
Have no criminal record.
Be a resident of the Western Cape.
Instructions:
How to Apply:
Interested young people can apply online by downloading the application form or by contacting the Academy for the application. The completed and signed application form can be emailed or faxed to us, and we’ll add the candidate’s details on our database.
Local candidates will be invited for an interview at the Academy where a medical/physical assessment will be conducted before they are selected for the 3-month training.
If there are more than 10 candidates from rural areas, interviews and assessments may be conducted in those areas, in partnership with the local community structures.
Courses are run strictly on a first come, first serve basis. It is important for application forms to be completed and faxed or emailed to us so that candidates’ names can be entered onto our database.
Bring two I.D pictures and your banking details. Please upload your ID and proof of address and your latest school report on the online form.
Should you fit our criteria, you’ll be contacted to arrange an interview. You’ll also undergo a medical and physical assessment for the final selection.
Successful candidates are required to pay a non-refundable fee of R400 on the day of intake.
Random drug testing may also be done.
Take the First Step! Apply TODAY!
You can also visit or contact the Chrysalis Academy at:
Porter Reform Estate, Tokai Road, Cape Town,
Tel: 021 712 1023
Fax: 021 712 1075
Email: info@chrysalisacademy.org.za
