Introduction Raymond Ackerman Academy Background UCT Short Course

Introduction Raymond Ackerman Academy

Background • UCT Short Course in entrepreneurial Development • Initiative between UCT and the Ackerman Family Foundation • Started in 2005 • Objective: entrepreneurial skills development amongst young people who would normally “slip through the cracks” • Soweto Campus opened 2009 Raymond Ackerman Academy

City of Cape Town • Sponsor of the Academy since 2006 • Grant funding allocated to teaching and student transport • City relationship integral to Academy success because it assists with: Recruitment, access to entrepreneurial opportunities and initiatives e. g. Cape Town Activa, programme development and relationship building with stakeholders. Raymond Ackerman Academy

Student Profile • 18 – 30 • Academic, financial, social challenges • Cape Town (Cape Flats, Khayelitsha, Paarl) • Matric (case by case basis) • Interest in developing entrepreneurial and personal skills Raymond Ackerman Academy

Recruitment • Selection Workshops – December and June • Community Newspapers • City of Cape Town – Smart Cape Libraries • Alumni - Word of Mouth • CT Activa Networks • Various NGO’s and organisations Raymond Ackerman Academy

Business Curriculum • UCT Short Course • Business Fundamentals • Innovation workshops and business idea generation • Business Planning and idea testing • Work Experience Raymond Ackerman Academy

Student Business Ideas • Examples include: – Shower kettle – Medical delivery service for public hospitals – Mix peanut butter/ condiment product – Graffiti boards – Affordable fire extinguisher from bicarb and vinegar – Internet funerals and weddings – view on skype so you don’t have to travel to go – Shin guards from recycled material – Skype counseling – Car helmet for children taking public transport Raymond Ackerman Academy

Personal Development • Personal Development / Soft Skills – – – Time management Goal setting Leading and developing yourself Vision and mission Presentation skills • Individual ‘check-ins’ Raymond Ackerman Academy

Post Course Stats • 315 Graduates • 260 Contactable – 80% working, studying or own business • Of those contactable: – Own Business: – Working: – Studying/working/own business: – Not working: 32* (+ jobs created) 179 30 10 9 Raymond Ackerman Academy

Successes • RAA graduate businesses include: Township tours, panel beaters, computer sanitizing services, soft furnishings, bin cleaning, driving school, water sanitation, software development, marketing and promotions, music and entertainment and biltong & chocolate-makers. Raymond Ackerman Academy

Successes * SEDA Stars Competition 2012 – Provincial Winner 7 National Runner Up * 2012 Young Entrepreneurs Programme: Abigail Florence + Vincent Manzini + Daniel Thebe (2010) Includes a 6 week internship in the USA (3 of the 14 people chosen for the national YEP from the CT RAA) * SAB Kickstart 2011 – regional and national winner (including the winner of the people’s choice award) Raymond Ackerman Academy

Successes * City of Cape Town’s Entrepreneurship competition: 3 rd place winners in the idea phase, 4 th in the 2010 competition • Shanduka Black Umbrellas – 3 students accepted into programme • Abigail Florence (July 2010) – Top 10 finalist in brand strategy competition with Shanduka Black Umbrellas and Media 24 – she won R 1 million worth of media space. * Innovation workshops Raymond Ackerman Academy

Successes Dean Stuurman (Jan 2010) was recently appointed as a Capitec Sales Consultant – he has this to say about the Academy: “Thank you each and everyone for the support and preparation for the job, you will never understand what it means and meant to me and my family” Jan Lewin (July 2009) is in her 2 nd year of studies at UCT and made it onto the Dean’s merit list last year – she also won two class medals Raymond Ackerman Academy

RAA in the Media • RAA recently interviewed on SAFM, VOICE OF THE CAPE & CTV • Darren Barnes (January 2008), Jan Lewin (July 2009) and Vincent Manzini (Jan 2010) featured in the Foschini Club X magazine in 2011/2012. • Abigail Florence (July 2010) was featured in the Live SA magazine as well as the Entrepreneurship Africa website. • Palesa Moeketsi (Jan 2011) has been on several radio stations after her win in the SEDA competition, she is also in the current issue of Drum magazine. • Nomfusi Maliti (July 2010) featured in GSB Breakwater Business and Skills Portal website Raymond Ackerman Academy

Alumni RAA Alumni Facebook Fridays Raymond Ackerman Academy

Course Evaluations “ It is the best course ever; it opened my mind to see the broader picture of life”. “ Well rounded, touches on everything essential in business; develops individuals and provides a good support base”. “ When I came to the RAA everything I knew about business was self taught. Now I can confidently say that I have been taught to do business properly”. Raymond Ackerman Academy

Course Evaluations “All I can say for now is just WOW what an awesome experience it was indeed. . . go into this with an open mind and don’t be afraid to do your best. ” “The course was insightful, enriching and very informative. I have grown during the course and I am proud to say I am a different person now. ” • Thanks for taking the time to invest in my future. ” Raymond Ackerman Academy

Comment from Mr. Ackerman Because Entrepreneurship is so important to create jobs in South Africa, I feel that this course is helping in some small way to train people in this direction. We are not only training people to become Entrepreneurs, but also to get experience and training to get decent jobs in major companies. This really is one of our broad visions and that is to help people get jobs in South Africa. Raymond Ackerman Academy

Raymond Ackerman Academy