Call for Mentors: BRICS Access Initiative Programme Cape Town

Are you passionate about making a difference in your community? Do you believe in the power of mentorship to change lives? 

We invite you to become a Mentor in The Access Initiative Societal Benefit program. This initiative is a societal benefit programme, that focuses on equipping young people from underserved communities with the essential life skill of driving, enabling them to obtain learner’s and driver’s licenses, and unlocking real pathways to economic participation. But beyond this, the program seeks to provide career guidance and development support to the group through workshops and mentorship to help the participants apply for university placements and jobs. 

Overview

In a country where we are currently facing a crisis of unemployment amongst national youth, BRICS Astronomy – in collaboration with other partners – is facing the issue head-on through a societal benefits programme focused on equipping the unemployed youth with the necessary skills.

Though the association is titularly focused on astronomy, the challenges of education and employment directly impact the growth of our astronomy community and the scientific community at large, despite the rapid rise in interest and opportunities in the astronomy field, not only in South Africa but worldwide. This programme is based on efforts to provide these out-of-school and unemployed youths the skills to overcome the challenges that have hindered them in pursuing careers and higher education. The aforementioned youths will be connected with undergraduate students who will mentor them on matters aiding with university and job applications. The mentors will, in turn, be connected with young professionals who can assist them with their career journeys. This “cascade model” creates a reciprocal system, benefitting all those involved personally and contributing towards national growth on a local scale through its pragmatic approach.

Key Objectives

• Foster hope: Many of the mentees in this programme have been unable to further their studies for a multitude of reasons. These include a lack of funding, family responsibilities, rejection from institutions, a need to repeat matric examinations and more. Similarly, those who are unemployed have faced challenges along these same lines. This can be incredibly disheartening, but the programme aims to provide a source of encouragement and hope.

• Mutual Growth: Though the short term goals are to guide mentees on their journey regarding job and university applications, as well as providing the mentors with guidance in their career plans, it will provide them with important skills that will benefit them going forward in future plans.

• Create connections: The relationships between mentors and mentees, and mentors and professionals allow for new connections to be made that enable those involved to forge new paths on their own beyond the programme.

• Facilitate change: The employment crisis amongst South African youths is a deeply rooted one, and certainly can not be overturned with a single project. This does not mean that one should simply remain passive. Even the smallest of efforts can ripple into great changes. That is what this programme’s goal is: to empower a group of affected youth and allow them to take control of their lives in a way that may have previously seemed an insurmountable challenge. It hopes to ignite change.

Who Should Apply?

This programme is aimed at assisting those who require guidance regarding their future education or careers. As such, anyone who is currently enrolled in their undergraduate or postgraduate studies and is located in the Western Cape is welcome to apply as a mentor. The focus of BRICS Astronomy lies in the sciences and astronomy in particular, and encourages STEM students to participate, though applicants may study or hold qualifications in any field. Regardless of the mentor’s field of interest, the programme will allow them to provide insight and aid to others as well as be provided with invaluable experience and guidance from young professionals.

Who can apply:

• Reside in the Western Cape, South Africa.
• University or college students or graduates, all disciplines 
• Young professionals from diverse sectors who are passionate about youth empowerment. 

Mentor Requirements and Expectations

• Experienced & Understanding: As stated prior, mentors must have completed or be enrolled in tertiary education. Since this to benefit those who are hoping to either pursue tertiary education or enter the job market, mentors must hold knowledge of either of these processes from their own experiences. They must also be confident in their ability to communicate effectively.

• Equipment: Access to a computer, internet connection and online conferencing software (e.g. Zoom, Microsoft Teams). 

• Time: This is a long-term initiative, intended to span 2 months of workshops and then further ongoing support approximately spanning this year. Mentors must be willing to dedicate their time on a regular basis to assist their mentees, in the form of both digital communication and the planned in-person sessions.

• Dedication: The work of the mentors will be an opportunity to make a genuine impact in the lives of their mentees. Therefore, mentors will be expected to show commitment to their role and treat the programme with serious earnest, engaging fully with the tasks presented to them. 

Why Become a Mentor?

As a mentor, you will:

• Support mentees as they navigate the programme, helping them overcome academic, personal, and professional challenges.
• Be a guide and motivator, offering practical advice, encouragement, and insight.
• Participate in a cascading mentorship model, where you will also receive mentorship to help you grow in your own journey—whether you’re looking to advance your career, further your studies, or expand your impact.
• Be part of a community that believes in paying it forward.

Benefits for the Mentor:

As this program aims to implement the Cascade Outreach Model, the next phase will provide a platform for connecting participating mentors with mentors of their own to guide them in their careers and next steps. This support will be offered through tailored career development workshops focused on their current level, and will include CV writing, interview preparation, job search strategies, entrepreneurship workshops, and more.

What this Programme Will Entail

The Access Initiative aims to benefit not only the mentees consisting of out-of-school/unemployed youths, but to also benefit the mentors via a cascade model. While mentees will receive guidance from the mentors, in turn the mentors will have the opportunity to receive guidance from a group of professionals.

Mentor-Mentee: Mentors will be expected to interact with the mentees in a way that encourages growth and offers a path forward. Mentors will engage in workshops to teach skills such as CV writing, university and job applications, interview practice, time management, and so forth as structured by the project. They will also act as a form of support for the mentees regarding these matters.

Mentor-Professional: Mentors will be given the opportunity to interact with young professionals, to engage with an exchange of knowledge and experience. The professionals will guide the mentors on career growth and job skill development.

Timeline

10 May 2025: Open day at University of the Western Cape

• Learners will participate in the University of the Western Cape (UWC) Open Day, where they will explore university-level study and career pathways, and connect with mentors who will support their academic and professional development.

28 – 30 May 2025: Initial Engagement and Career Development Workshop

Over a three-day period, mentees will engage in a structured career development experience designed to expose them to diverse career paths, provide practical insights, and connect them with mentors for long-term support. The schedule is as follows:

• 28 – 29 May: Learners will be introduced to their mentors and attend presentations by professionals from diverse career fields, providing valuable insights into various industries and career paths. The program will also feature an interactive workshop segment, where mentees and mentors will collaborate on practical tasks such as completing applications to different institutions, writing CVs, and more.
• 30 May:  A guided tour of various companies will provide the learners with firsthand exposure to diverse workplaces and career options.

Post-Workshop Support (Ongoing):
Following the initial workshop, mentors will maintain regular engagement with their mentees. These engagements will be flexible and responsive, taking place as and when needed, and tailored to the individual goals and challenges of each mentee. The aim is to support each mentee until the jointly defined notion of “success” is achieved.

This ongoing mentorship will include:

• Continued guidance on applications for further study or employment
• Support with identifying and applying for funding opportunities
• Career advice and support during key transition periods
• A sustained mentoring relationship that extends into the mentee’s next journey (e.g., university life, internships, or job placements)
  

Mid-Year Check-In (Date TBC):
The cohort will reconvene later in the year for a progress review session. This will allow all involved to assess achievements, identify challenges, and provide additional interventions where necessary. The goal is to ensure that no mentee is left behind and that consistent, structured support remains available throughout the year.

How to Apply:

Please fill out the application form by 16 May to join the programme. You will be contacted following the closing of submissions regarding any updates.