With an aim to build self-awareness and work readiness, FutureMe’s Go-Getter Challenge creates a passionate and inspiring youth talent pool that helps build youth’s core skills.  Exposing and inspiring young people about “hard to fill” roles, FutureMe’s Build it Go-Getter Challenge went above and beyond in exposing hopeful participants to the Build it family and all they have to offer from a career perspective.

Kicked off on the 11th of March 2022, with 30 students on board, along with Build it, professionals, the Build it Go-Getter challenge was split into 5 events– Foundation and Planning, Doors, Walls and Roofing, Plumbing and Electrical, Paint, Garden and Decorative and lastly the Graduation Party.

Held weekly via Zoom, each event explored various entry-level positions and career paths associated with the event segments, where participants could interact and engage with Build It professionals.

Not only were the weekly events a great opportunity to network but regular participants were rewarded for everything they did in the programme, through the ‘Build it Bricks’ game. By attending events, reading posts, and completing e-learning courses, the weekly leader would earn a R250 SPAR voucher.

Foundation and Planning

Kicking off the first event of the Build it Go-Getter 2 Programme, the main objective was to expose participants to the career opportunities that are associated with planning, foundations, cement, and sandstone. On the panel, we had Marketing Advertising Assistant, Mbuso Mthembu and Yongama Mathe, a Sales Assistant at one of the Build it Retail stores.

The one-hour live event delved into everything participants needed to know about Build it, the culturally diverse working environment within foundation and planning, and how they too could learn and grow industry-specific skills.

Doors, Walls, and Roofing

With participants already aware of what career opportunities are available within the doors, bricks, walls, and roofing space, the second event brought in the aspect of the importance of customer service and how young people can develop customer service skills.

FutureMe sat down with I.T Helpdesk Assistant, Chuma Tetyana, and Build it Stock Count Clerk, Sigfried Mkize, and engaged in an intriguing panel discussion in which they shared their career stories about how having customer service skills are relevant in their career.

Plumbing and Electrical

While exposing participants to career paths available to plumbing and electrical graduates, BM Plumbing Consultant, Bruce Gregg-Macdonald and Electrical Consultant, Clint Dunk gave some valuable insight into sales skills.

Touching on their careers, the two shared tips and advice on how having sales skills can be beneficial in leadership, career development as well as entry-level, customer-facing positions alike.

Paint, Garden, and Decorative

Featuring HR Development controller, Zami Nzama and Build it Customer Care Controller, Tamara Latchmigadu, participants were exposed to basic personal branding skills. With a clear understanding of what career paths are available within the paint, garden, and decorative space, the two shared some insight into why and how developing a strong personal brand is important in the workplace.

Graduation and programme outcomes

With all Build it programmes complete, it was time to celebrate. Out of the thirty participants, the Go-Getter 2 programme saw fourteen successful graduates. All of our Go-Getters said they would recommend this programme. When asked about their experience, here’s what our Go-Getters had to say–

“It is an amazing experience to see what actually happens inside the industry and get useful advice from experienced experts.”

“My understanding of retail has been broadened. I always thought of retail as just marketing and selling a product but with the FutureMe Go-Getter, I now realise that retail job expertise is constantly changing to meet the consumers’ needs and my dream career may not even exist.”

“I feel like Build It is a really big company with many career opportunities for youths such as myself.”

With five insightful programmes complete, participants now have the opportunity to explore a career path at Build it. All it takes is the right attitude and mindset.

Written by Aaliyah Rahman