Experiential training abroad
As part of phase three, the group leaders will be sent to the United States of America as instructors at the annual Summer Camps. Amongst other things, this will broaden their horizons and result in a new mindset. Only a year previously, these youngsters were trapped in the townships and for them there was no other way of life – after their visit abroad their eyes and minds will be opened to new possibilities.
Final Accreditation
After two years of intensive hands on training and experience the group leaders will have logged up hours of experience in specialised adventure tourism disciplines. The final accreditation phase (November/December) will provide them with the certification to prove their achievements. There are no limits as to the number of accreditations they may apply for – those that have made the effort, persevered and logged up the hours will find that they are now qualified instructors, guides and supervisors and that the world of adventure tourism is their oyster.
Employment
Those who have excelled will be invited to join On Track Club as full-time members of staff with the option of shares in the company. Then there are the entrepreneurs who we would encourage to set up their tourism businesses in their respective provinces.
Setting graduate instructors up in their own businesses
The ultimate objective of this entire project and the motivation behind this whole proposal is to qualify as many disadvantaged people as possible and set them up in a viable, long-term, adventure tourism business of their own. First prize is for these graduate instructors to set them up in business in their respective communities, but there are a number of options:
Going to business in their home regions
This is the first prize! The three or four years of training with On Track Club should be seen much in the same light as going to university to study, after which you return home and go to work. However, in this case, the objective is slightly different; we would like to see graduate instructors assisting with the perpetuation of this project. There are many advantages for the to return to their respective home regions
n They get back to their families – The fibre of society is based on family values. Much of the crime and instability of this country can be attributed to a destroyed era of family life; this project can go a long way towards addressing this problem.
n They have support structures and networking opportunities – The adventure tourism industry depends heavily on local knowledge of the area. Friends, family and relations can play a big part in providing informal support structures.
n They will be in a position to motivate others to participate in the program – On their return to their homes the community will immediately identify with the opportunity that has been afforded to the graduate instructors, word will spread and many will be motivated to get involved.
Staying on as instructors with On Track Club
As this project continues to grow so will the need for qualified staff. Many instructors will have the opportunity of staying on with On Track Club. However, in the long term On Track Club will strongly motivate and incentivies graduate instructors to return to their respective regions – as we are doing in the case of Pheneas Nenemba. Every instructor returning home is a catalyst in the success of this project.
Finding employment in the existing tourism industry
After three years of hands on training with On Track Club our graduate instructors are highly sought after! There simply is no other organisation that provides the level of expertise and experience. To date two of our instructors have gone into the adventure tourism industry and both are highly successful individuals.
This should NOT be seen as the final phase but rather as the start. Once these businesses have been set up it results in cash flow for the new businesses, and, most importantly it perpetuates this project.
This should NOT be seen as the final phase but rather as the start. Once these businesses have been set up it results in cash flow for the new businesses, and, most importantly it perpetuates this project.
At this point we have completed the tree-year cycle and a group of qualified entrepreneurs is active in the adventure tourism industry.