An important partnership towards youth development in the industry began in October 2017, when the Western Cape Chapter of the Youth in Property Association (YIPA) teamed up with the WCPDF and the UCT 100UP initiative, in a Job Shadow Programme for Grade 11 and 12 learners.

The UCT 100UP initiative targets learners from disadvantaged backgrounds, coaching them towards university access and to making considered career choices. Likewise, the aim of the YIPA/WCPDF/UCT 100UP partnership has always been to develop a better understanding among learners of the different professional paths available to them specifically in the Built Environment – thus transforming our property development and construction sector from the youth up.

Before Covid-19 hit the industry, the two-day (twice a year) Job Shadow Programme originally saw learners spending time in offices and on building sites with companies from our industry. Post-Covid-19, and with the WCPDF realising how important the exposure was for both learners and for the transformation of our industry, the programme reshaped in 2022 into a component of the UCT 100UP Saturday morning workshops, held on the UCT Campus, for Grade 12s.

During these two-hour workshops (the last held on Saturday 1 June 2024 – see below for further details), introductory presentations are given by various professionals in the Built Environment, always followed by a vibrant and highly interactive Q&A/networking session with the learners.

We are pleased to announce that the two-day Job Shadow component of the partnership began again on 25 and 26  September 2024, and once again saw Grade 12 learners from the UCT 100UP initiative spending two days on site and in the offices of companies engaged in the Western Cape Built Environment. We sincerely thank bpas Architects, Citra, The Pinelands Development Company (Garden Cities), Eris Property Group and the Rabie Property Group  for stepping forward to host Learners.

We are all extremely proud that, since the partnership began, we have successfully seen a number of learners from the programme progress into undergraduate studies and careers in the Built Environment. 

Should you wish to volunteer yourself and your profession to be a panellist at a future YIPA/WCPDF/UCT 100UP workshop OR be a sponsor/participating company towards the next Job Shadow Programme to be held on 25 and 26 September 2024, please email Carola Koblitz of the WCPDF: admin@wcpdf.co.za