The Young Professional Persons Programme (YPP)
Purpose of the Programme:
The Programme is an affirmative action program to specifically empower previously disadvantages individuals from the following designated groups: Black, Coloured, Indian, females (White females included) and people with disabilities, who have been accepted by a recognised Higher Education Institution for Masters, Honnours or Doctorate, through the gaining of experience and mentorship in obtaining their qualification in the scarce and critical skills.
To produce qualified and trained professionals for the Western Cape Department of Agriculture in the scarce and critical skills;
| SCARCE SKILLS | CRITICAL SKILLS |
|---|---|
| Soil scientists
Soil science Pedologist Irrigation Engineers/Tech State veterinarians Bacteriologist Biochemist (VET) Veterinary Virologist Aquaculturalist Rangeland Scientist GIS Agro-Climatologist Plant pathologists Lecturer winemaker Lecturer wine business management Agricultural Economists |
Resource Economics Policy/Macro economics analysis/modeling Statisticians Qualitative Epidermiologist Microbiologist(emphasis on gastrolintestinal microbiology) Pasture Scientist Biometrician Crop modeling programmer Entomologist Process Engineers/Tech Renewable Energy Agricultural Engineers/Tech Agronomist Weed Scientist Nematologists Plant Virologist |
Nature of the Programme:
The Pre -Young Professional Persons, candidates are registered Honnours students who will enjoy a full bursary, a monthly stipend and be expected to report for duty whenever not attending class. This programme commences annually in February. Each candidate will be assigned a mentor.
The Young Professional Persons, candidates are registered Masters Students who will be involved in a structured programme, which spans over three years. The programme which commences annually in February consists of a three-pronged learning experience:
Area 1: Structured in-service training programme whereby participants will receive support from their mentors, supervisors, current participants on the programme.
Area 2: Participants will complete an independent research project which is conducted at the Western Cape Department of Agriculture and is completed in conjunction with the candidates relevant Educational Institution. The topic of the research project must be relevant to the Department of Agriculture’s requirements.
Area 3: During the programme, participants will undergo an Individual Management Programme focusing on modules covering managerial skills such as project management, financial planning and budgeting, self-management, human resource management, conflict management, time management, presentation skills, marketing and entrepreneurial skills.
After successful completion of the YPP Programme, participants will:
- Have gained valuable research experience
- Have completed an individual development management training programme
- Be in the possession of a Masters qualification
- Be empowered to pursue a career within the department
- Have contributed to the knowledge resource of the Department
- May be identified by our Department to complete a doctorate.
What are the benefits of the YPP Programme?
Participants in the programmes will receive:
- An allowance/stipend
- Bursary covering registration, tuition fees, research material and prescribed books required by the Higher Learning Institution
- Access to research infrastructure
- Full mentorship
- Valuable research experience
- Exposure to attend strategic meetings and symposiums
Note:
After completion of the programme, participants will be expected to repay their bursary obligations in the form of employment in a suitable post within the Department.
Requirements:
Applicants must be South African citizens. Candidates must be from the designated groups, i.e. Black, Coloured, Indian, Female and Disabled. There are two entries to the Programme:
- Applicants must be in possession of a relevant Degree and registered on a relevant Honnours Programme / or
- Applicants must be in possession of a relevant Honnours Degree and registered on a relevant Masters programme.
- Applicants must have the ability to complete the programme and plan to pursue a career within Agriculture.
- Applicant has completed a Masters and has been identified to complete a Doctorate enhancing the Departmental Research.
- Applicants must complete all the relevant Young Professional Persons Programme application forms, which are available on the website.
- Successful candidates will be expected to enter into a contractual agreement with the Western Cape Department of Agriculture.
NB: FAILURE TO SUBMIT THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS WILL RESULT IN YOUR APPLICATION BEING DISQUALIFIED. CORRESPONDENCE WILL BE LIMITED TO SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES.
