WinField United South Africa (WUSA) has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability by embracing inclusivity through its "people" pillar. In collaboration with Employ and Empower Deaf (eDeaf), WUSA’s subsidiary Villa Crop Protection has welcomed nine deaf learners into its workforce. These young learners, primarily reliant on sign language or writing for communication, have begun their journey toward professional development at the Paarl office in the Western Cape and Olifantsfontein operations in Gauteng.

Bridging Education and Employment

Malanie Brits, Human Resource Manager at WUSA, explained, “The deaf learners will work in-house for the next year while enrolled in an NQF-level Wholesale and Retail Operations qualification.” This program, supported by eDeaf’s trained facilitators, blends academic theory with practical, on-the-job experience, enhancing the learners’ employability upon completion.

Key aspects of the program include:

• Monthly rotations between academic study (one week) and work experience (three weeks).
• Practical roles in warehouse operations and formulation processes.
• Comprehensive safety training, including Hazchem compliance, ensuring learners are well-prepared to navigate the operational environment.

Fostering Understanding and Inclusivity

To prepare employees for the learners’ arrival, WUSA organised six sensitisation sessions in collaboration with eDeaf. These sessions aimed to foster awareness of deaf culture and equip staff with the tools to communicate effectively.

During these sessions, employees:

• Learned about the challenges faced by deaf individuals, including isolation and misconceptions.
• Gained insights into sign language basics and creative communication techniques.
• Dispelled stereotypes, recognising that deaf individuals are equally intelligent and capable.

Brits remarked, “The sensitisation sessions provided a fun and engaging way to address stigmas, making staff more comfortable in their interactions with the learners. This has greatly benefited both the learners and the organisation.”

A Vision for the Future

Over the next year, Villa plans to offer the learners extra-curricular training across various projects and sites, opening pathways to careers in the agricultural industry. Upon qualification, the learners will be eligible to apply for roles across WUSA’s subsidiaries.

Brits concluded, “This positive experience has inspired us to consider repeating the program, fostering greater integration and diversity within our organisation.”

Through initiatives like this, WUSA demonstrates its commitment to creating an inclusive workplace where diversity is celebrated, and everyone has an opportunity to thrive.

Press Release Submitted By

Company Name: WinField United South Africa (WUSA)Contact Person: Malanie BritsContact Email: info@winfieldunitedsa.co.zaWebsite: https://www.winfieldunitedsa.co.za

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Breaking Barriers Through Inclusivity

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