Proposal to Mr Price: Diepsloot Youth Project Retail Skills Development Programme for Disadvantaged Youth in Diepsloot
Date: 05-05-2025
Submitted by: Diepsloot Youth Project
1. Diepsloot Youth Project Executive Summary
This proposal seeks to establish a strategic partnership with Mr Price to deliver a Retail Skills Development Programme for 100 disadvantaged youth in Diepsloot. The initiative will focus on equipping young people with foundational and advanced retail skills that align with industry needs and Mr Price’s values of empowerment, skills development, and sustainability.
Through this collaboration, Mr Price will contribute to the social and economic development of one of South Africa’s most underserved communities by enabling youth to access meaningful career pathways in retail—without the expectation of financial contributions, but through access, training opportunities, and in-kind support such as mentorship, job-shadowing, and store-based learning.
2. Diepsloot Youth Project Background and Context
Diepsloot is a densely populated township in the north of Johannesburg, home to over 350,000 residents, many of whom face chronic unemployment, poverty, and limited access to skills development opportunities. The majority of its youth are not in employment, education, or training (NEET), and lack the networks and resources to access the formal economy.
Retail, as one of South Africa’s largest employment sectors, offers a critical opportunity for youth inclusion. Mr Price, as a leading retail brand with a strong corporate social investment ethos, is well-positioned to lead impactful community-based skills initiatives aligned with national priorities for youth development and employment.
3. Diepsloot Youth Project Purpose and Objectives
The purpose of this programme is to:
- Equip 100 unemployed youth from Diepsloot with core retail skills.
- Improve the employability of participants within the formal retail sector.
- Promote ethical work practices, customer service excellence, and business acumen.
- Foster a culture of work readiness, discipline, and lifelong learning.
- Provide real-world exposure to the retail environment through Mr Price’s store network.
Diepsloot Youth Project Key Objectives:
- Deliver a 12-week structured Retail Skills Programme in Diepsloot.
- Facilitate soft skills and work-readiness training, aligned with Mr Price’s values.
- Enable store-based learning through shadowing and practical placements.
- Build pathways into employment and further learning within the Mr Price Group or the broader retail ecosystem.
4. Diepsloot Youth Project Programme Structure
The programme will be delivered over 12 weeks and will comprise the following components:
a. Foundational Retail Training (4 weeks)
- Introduction to the retail industry
- Customer service excellence
- Visual merchandising basics
- Point of sale systems and stock control
- Retail ethics and professionalism
b. Work Readiness and Life Skills (2 weeks)
- CV writing and interview preparation
- Communication and teamwork
- Time management and workplace discipline
- Personal branding and goal setting
c. Store-Based Learning Experience (6 weeks)
- Participants placed at Mr Price stores (or other retail partners)
- Job shadowing, mentoring, and supervised tasks
- Real-time exposure to sales, stock, and customer-facing roles
- Weekly reflection sessions to consolidate learning
5. Diepsloot Youth Project Target Group
- 100 unemployed youth aged 18–30 from Diepsloot.
- Minimum Grade 10 education.
- Strong motivation to pursue a career in retail.
- Priority to be given to youth from disadvantaged backgrounds, including women and persons with disabilities.
6. Diepsloot Youth Project Role of Mr Price
As a valued partner, Mr Price is invited to support the initiative through:
- Access to Store Placements: Hosting participants for practical learning in local Mr Price stores.
- Mentorship and Skills Sharing: Mr Price staff acting as mentors or facilitators.
- Retail Expertise: Contributing to the design or delivery of specific training modules.
- Certificates of Participation: Issued jointly with [Your Organization Name], enhancing participant CVs.
- Recruitment Pathways: Consideration for entry-level roles, internships, or learnerships for high-performing participants.
Note: We do not seek financial sponsorship. The focus is on strategic partnership, in-kind support, and capacity sharing.
7. Diepsloot Youth Project Monitoring and Evaluation
We will use a robust M&E framework to track:
- Attendance and completion rates
- Pre- and post-programme skills assessments
- Participant feedback and satisfaction
- Placement or employment outcomes within 6 months
Reports and insights will be shared with Mr Price quarterly to ensure transparency, learning, and impact tracking.
8. Diepsloot Youth Project Alignment with Mr Price’s CSI Vision
This initiative aligns with Mr Price’s commitment to:
- Youth empowerment through skills development
- Creating sustainable livelihoods
- Promoting inclusive economic participation
- Supporting community-based initiatives that drive real change
By partnering on this programme, Mr Price will strengthen its social footprint while helping to nurture a future generation of skilled, motivated retail professionals.
9. Diepsloot Youth Project Call to Action
Diepsloot Youth Project invite Mr Price to join us in making a lasting difference in the lives of 100 young people in Diepsloot. This partnership offers a high-impact, low-cost model for community development rooted in practical skills, work exposure, and human dignity.
Diepsloot Youth Project would welcome the opportunity to meet and discuss this proposal further at your convenience. Together, we can transform potential into progress.
Submitted by:
Nancy Mdaka
Chief Strategic Partnership Officer
SayPro
011 071 1909/072 6174 636