Support 82 Sexual Violence Survivors in Eswatini

Background

Ngihlomise Youth Skills Academy is a community-based vocational education and training institution that was established by Super Buddies Club in Big Bend, Lubombo Region, Eswatini. The Academy provides practical vocational, entrepreneurship, and life skills training to unemployed and vulnerable young people, including adolescent girls and young women who have experienced gender-based violence (GBV).

As part of its commitment to supporting GBV survivors to rebuild their lives through skills development and economic empowerment, the Academy enrolled survivors of GBV in vocational training programmes. Welding is one of the practical skills offered, providing participants with an opportunity to acquire a marketable skill that can lead to employment, self-employment, and the establishment of small businesses.

To complement classroom-based learning, the Academy arranged an industry exposure visit for its welding students to a welding materials and equipment supplier. The visit was designed to give students first-hand exposure to the materials, equipment, tools, and supplies used in the welding industry and to help them understand how the knowledge acquired in training is applied in the real world.

Purpose of the Industry Visit

The purpose of the visit was to expose welding students, including GBV survivors, to the welding industry and provide practical knowledge that would complement their vocational training.

The visit also aimed to help students understand the welding supply chain, identify appropriate materials and equipment, and gain knowledge that will support their transition from training to employment or entrepreneurship.

Objectives

The industry exposure visit had the following objectives:

1. To expose students to welding materials, equipment, tools, and supplies commonly used in the welding industry.
2. To strengthen students' practical understanding of welding by linking classroom-based learning with real-world industry applications.
3. To improve students' knowledge of industry standards and workplace practices, including the appropriate selection and use of welding materials and equipment.
4. To strengthen entrepreneurship knowledge among students, particularly those who intend to establish their own welding businesses after completing their training.
5. To support the economic empowerment of GBV survivors by equipping them with practical and marketable skills that can improve their opportunities for employment and self-employment.
6. To expose students to potential suppliers and the welding supply chain, enabling them to make informed decisions when procuring materials and equipment for future businesses.

6. Expected Outputs

The activity was expected to result in:

• Welding students gaining practical exposure to the welding industry.
• Increased knowledge of welding materials, equipment, and supplies.
• Improved understanding of the application of different welding materials.
• Increased awareness of industry standards and workplace expectations.
• Students developing a better understanding of the requirements for establishing welding enterprises.
• GBV survivors gaining additional practical knowledge to complement their vocational training.
• Improved linkages between the Academy and private-sector businesses in the welding industry.

Impact of the Inductry Tour

The industry exposure is expected to contribute to the longer-term economic empowerment and resilience of GBV survivors participating in the Ngihlomise Youth Skills Academy programme.

In the longer term, the programme aims to contribute to reduced economic vulnerability among GBV survivors, increased access to decent livelihood opportunities, and greater independence and self-reliance.

Conclusion

The welding industry exposure visit was an important component of the practical learning programme at Ngihlomise Youth Skills Academy. It provided students, including GBV survivors, with an opportunity to move beyond classroom learning and gain first-hand knowledge of the welding industry.

Super Buddies Club through Ngihlomise Youth Skills Academy seeks to expand access to vocational and entrepreneurship opportunities for vulnerable youth and GBV survivors, enabling them to acquire practical skills, pursue employment, establish businesses, and build more secure and independent livelihoods.