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About the Avusa Learnership

Every year the Avusa Media division of Times Media offers individuals from different areas The Avusa Learnership.

These learnerships form part of the government?s National Skills Development aimed at imparting skills to creating jobs to ease poverty. These learnerships are offered under the auspices of the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) for the relevant industry.

Avusa Media was initially known as Johnnic Communications and was acquired by a unit of Mvelaphanda Group and renamed Times Media Group in 2012.

Publications and services under this brand include magazines like Computing SA, Elle, Financial Mail, SA Mining and Soccerlife; newspapers like The Sunday Times, The Times, The Sowetan, Sunday World, Daily Dispatch, and Business Day.

The Group also owns several community newspapers, publishers, retailers and a record company.

The Times Media Group offer a 12-month training internship in journalism programme for graduates as well as a Contact Centre Learnership.

Contact Centre Learnerships are open to those with the necessary qualifications required to study for the Further Education and Training (FET) Certificate in Contact Centre Operations, NQF Level 4. People with disabilities are also encouraged to apply.

The learnership consists of both practical and theoretical training in a call-centre environment. As a trainee, you will be taught how to do this via correction and human development in humane, secure and safe detention or under community-based correctional supervision.

This Contact Centre Learnership will give you the opportunity to learn the skills required to work in a call centre as well as gain intimate knowledge as to the required behaviour, respect, and attitude that is required in any workplace. This combination will make it easier for you to get employment in the future.

Learners will earn a stipend for the duration of the learnership.

The Avusa Learnership Requirements

There are certain requirements for being accepted into The Avusa Learnership:

Qualifications

• You must be in possession of a Standard 10/Grade 12 Certificate; or
• Be in possession of a Further Education and Training Certificate NQF (Level 4); or
• Have successfully completed the National Certificate in Vocational Studies (NQF Level 4)
• Good communication skills
• Basic computer skills
• Average typing skills

Other Requirements

• You must be a South African citizen
• Applicants must be between the ages of 16 and 30 years

• You must be motivated and detail-oriented

Preference will be given to suitable candidates who will add to the diversity of Times Media.
Employment enquiries

The FET Certificate Contact Centre Operations, NQF Level 4

This is outcomes-based learning, accredited by Services SETA, and the learnership is based on a legally binding contract between the employer, the learner, and the service provider.

The Learnership Programme is for a period of one year (12 months) and consists of:

Theory

A percentage of the training will consist of theory. This instructional training will take place in a classroom atmosphere and will consist of

• Theoretical training will include business communication, customer services, and other training
• Formal and informal coaching sessions
• Six interactive skills programmes
• A Portfolio of Evidence (POE) of all your work will be required for each skills programme

Workplace Training

The remaining percentage of the training will be practical workplace (on-the-job) training and will include

• Duties connected to the work a call-centre agent does
• Six interactive skills programmes
• Formal and informal coaching sessions

Once you have successfully completed both the theoretical (instructional) and practical (workplace) phases, submitted a final Portfolio of Evidence (POE) and external verification has been done, a FET Certificate in Contact Centre Operations, NQF Level 4 will be issued.

The learnership contract is a legally binding contract and any irregularity or violation of the terms of the agreement will be dealt with in accordance with Sections 17 and 18 of the Skills Development Act, 97 of 1998.

The Avusa Learnership Application Process

In order to apply for the Contact Centre Operations Learnership, you must complete an application form in your own handwriting.

• You can download the application form from the Times Media website.
• The Times Media website address is http://www.tisoblackstar.com/tbg/companies-and-brands/media/
  • Once you get onto the website, look on the top for the link that says ? Careers? and click on it, then look for the ? Learnership? link
  • Click on the ? Learnership Application Form? link and the form will automatically download to your computer

• When applying for the learnership make sure that you specify the learnership post that you are applying for (e.g. Times Media Contact Centre Learnership)
• Make sure that you sign the application form yourself
• Attach certified copies of your certificates and Identity Document (these copies must have been certified within the last 3 months – you can get this done at any Police Station)
• If disabled, include a disability confirmation letter from the doctor/clinic/hospital
• Submit your forms by e-mail to training@timesmedia.co.za; fax to 011 328 2883 or check on the website/form for alternative methods of submitting your application

Please Note:

• Please put “Times Media Contact Centre Learnership” in the subject line of your e-mail
• Application forms that are late or unsigned will not be accepted
• Photocopied forms will not be accepted

If your application is shortlisted you will be invited to a panel interview.

Remember that during your workplace training you will be responsible for your own accommodation, transport, and meal costs. It is therefore suggested that you apply for a learnership in the Region or Management Area closest to where you live.

The Avusa Learnership Information

Applications for this learnership close around October yearly. Keep checking on the Times Media website whether the learnership is open for applications yet.