PROFILE
Age: 20
Residential Area: Paarl
Family: Lives with her mother, grandmother and younger brother
Language Proficiency: English and Afrikaans
Ready to be the difference
Marcheline is employed on a part time basis at Nederburg wine farm where she completed her month long specialisation work placement in October 2018. She organised her own work placement at Nederburg through networking at an industry event.
Marcheline and 48 other young, talented men and women graduated in November 2018 from the intensive 12 month Wine Sector programme at Pinotage Youth Development Academy (PYDA).
A strong student academically, Marcheline achieved the required mark of 75% and above to pass each module (and the programme as a whole) and now has the knowledge and experience of the entire value-chain of wine as well as related areas such as tourism and hospitality. She forms part of the new generation of work-ready young professionals who have the skills and attitude to add value and bring positive change, as well as the capability to build bridges and social cohesion between the diverse races and cultures of South Africa.
She graduated with an NQF Level 5 Certificate in Oenology and Viticulture as well as NQF Level 4 Certificates in Hospitality, Events Support Assistant and Tourist Guide Training. She also successfully completed other non-accredited modules, including Business Communication, Wine Service and Sales and Customer Service Culture.
40% of the programme covers several interventions and learnings in personal development which is is PYDA’s differentiator. Coaching and mentoring is inter-woven into every aspect of the programme, as is ongoing learning and a culture of accountability. It is the innovative integration of this dynamic learning environment that both teaches and models change which students embody in all aspects of their lives, enabling change in their families and communities.
She completed her practical work experience at Seven Sisters, KWV and Nederburg to embed the knowledge gained in the classroom. She also participated in the Jordan Wine Forum which offers young wine enthusiasts the opportunity to work through tutored tastings presented by industry professionals – cultivar/blends and region – whilst at the same time being able to ask questions and engage with peers.
In her own words
“I am a young lady who believes in working hard and giving my full participation in a group or individually. Passion drive when it comes to working with people and helping where I can”
Which work placement did you enjoy the most?
The specialization month placement in the Tasting Room.
What was the skills training course you found most useful?
Marketing and sales. I got to design my own label as well as create my own target market
What life skills training have you found the most useful?
I learned that everyone has their own insecurities which means that I shouldn’t be so hard on myself. Everything takes time.
What are your career hopes and dreams?
I want to have 3 – 4 years’ experience in a tasting room and then expand my tourism side in the vineyards to start my own wine tour-guiding business.
For more information visit www.pyda.co.za or join the Academy on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter with the handle @PYDAcademy.