Workplace and mentorship information
Who may apply to be a mentor and workplace host?
- Companies, building owners, Energy Services Companies, Electrical Contracting Companies, Solar Installation Companies, Consulting Companies, Corporates with buildings requiring EPCs
- Region of company office or branch is KwaZulu-Natal
- The company must have a mentor available to guide the interns
- Where a mentor is not available, a suitable person to be allocated as a mentor for the mentorship programme so that they can mentor the intern
- Have available for the intern and the mentor a computer and Wi-Fi as well as special PPE gear specific to the company requirements – basic gear is provided
- The period of internship required is 1 February 2023 to 31 January 2025
- The period of training is 1 November – 31 January 2023
Where to apply?
- Invitations are circulating through social media, stakeholder networks, and TVET college & UT contacts to apply to join the program
- Visit the website iepa.org.za and click on EPC Practitioner to find the application link
- Only online applications will be considered – no email requests will be responded to
What to expect when you apply?
- You will be asked a few questions around what you can offer the intern that is suitable to support the programme which is completed in the online application
- You will receive correspondence from us to confirm receipt, with a draft MOU for the programme, and a request for a meeting to clarify the programme requirements and any questions you may have
- We will share a Dropbox link with you, where you will find folder for each intern that applied where we will load their information such as qualifications and CVs, as well as a short video of them for you to view
- You may select 3 interns to interview for each 1 position you have available. IEPA will allow you to make interview arrangements with the interns directly and will follow up with you on feedback
- Interns will be allocated on a first accepted first placed basis
- IEPA will issue fixed term employment contracts with interns, do an employee induction to introduce them to the HR and Labour Policies and procedures, attendance requirements and stipend payments, interns will receive an annexure to second them to the workplace
- IEPA will issue Workplace MOU’s with the workplace to second the learners to the employer, an annexure will detail the interns placed with the company
- IEPA will register interns for UIF and SARS and manage those obligations
- Interns will report to your premises on 1 February 2023 and the fixed term contract terminates 31 January 2025
- Should an intern resign, or the workplace no longer wants to continue with the intern due to non-performance, a 30-day notice period is required to be submitted to IEPA at finance@iepa.org.za
What will it cost a workplace to take part?
- You will not have to pay for the programme or any books
- The cost to the host workplace is time of the mentor, and the availability of a computer and Wi-Fi for the online training and assignment, as well as basic PPE gear
- A stipend top-up for the intern is encouraged (greatly) – life is expensive
- Note: most interns do not have vehicles
By when must a workplace application be in?
- Workplace applications close on the 1st of November 2022
What will the workplace get?
- An opportunity to ad EPC services to their portfolio of services by upskilling an employee (mentor – for new entrants to the industry only) and an intern which will generate an additional income stream
- Interns will be pre-screened, with short videos made available of the intern, and their documentation and qualifications available from which a selection can be made
- Host employer will have the opportunity to select interns from the enrolled pool of interns for interviews before accepting them for the mentorship at their company (a ratio of 1:5)
- Each employer may choose 3 (three) online interviews per position to determine their final selection for the project and possible permanent employment
- Assistance and guidance will be provided by IEPA to new workplaces and mentors for the purposes of this project, and future workplace experience they may make available to the colleges that will run the EPC for Buildings short courses
- Interns will receive stipends from the programme which will be managed and paid directly to the intern
- HR and labour relations matters are handled by the IEPA programme managers
What we expect from the workplace?
- To provide the necessary assistance to the intern to complete their assignment successfully and become EPC Practitioners and Certified Energy Auditors
- Provide any specialised PPE gear, computer and Wi-Fi access for the online training and assignment
- Induction of the intern into the workplace on policies and procedures, as well as health and safety measures, and introduction to other staff members
- Ensure a suitable building is available for the intern to perform the assignment on
- To endeavour to create employment for the intern after the programme
- Allow IEPA & EWSETA to visit the workplace to evaluate intern progression
- Adhere to POPIA of IEPA regarding sharing of intern information
- Comply with the attendance and feedback requirements of the programme for monitoring and evaluation purposes which includes:
- Communicating with the project coordinator on any matters of concern as soon as they become a problem
- Ensuring the interns signs the daily attendance register
- Submitting the attendance register to the project administrator on a monthly basis by the 20th of the month to enable payroll
- Providing 4 question online feedback on the monthly activities of the intern
- Provide quantified feedback, to be verified by IEPA, on findings achieved that may contribute to the reduction in energy use or carbon emissions or cost savings