Luxolo, V&A Academy Graduate 6 Mar 2025 From job seeker to career starter As a vibrant, beating neighbourhood of living, work and play, the many tenants in our waterfront world are always on the lookout for reliable staff. As an organisation committed to driving economic impact for communities, we know that this is an opportunity for us to make a difference. That’s why we’ve launched the V&A Academy, which is aimed at empowering young people for careers in Hospitality, Tourism and Retail.At the Academy, we aim to connect underserved youth with opportunities within the customer experience sector. But we do not just throw them into the deep end. We help them develop self-confidence and on-the-job soft skills, followed by months in an internship with one of our local businesses. After this, we help them find a long-term placement. It’s about helping talented young people to kickstart their careers, one graduate at a time. Luxolo, V&A Academy Graduate WHERE OPPORTUNITY MEETS HARD WORKOnce you leave school, it’s a daunting task to find a job and become economically independent. Especially as a young person coming from an underserved community. You don’t know where to start—and companies don’t want to give a chance to people with no experience. "That’s why the training and support from the V&A Academy has been so helpful. It gave me the belief in myself to step into a job and grow, and job readiness because I had an idea of how to handle unknown situations."- Luxolo, V&A Academy Graduate After six weeks of training at the Academy, and nine months interning with a V&A tenant, Time Out Market, I was then hired permanently by the Market. Because I was able to hit the ground running and succeed, I’ve been promoted and given more responsibility. I started as a server. Now, I help supervise and order stock. I am excited to build a career on this strong foundation. A DAY IN THE LIFE07:00It’s an early start. Luxolo is on his way to open the restaurant, a responsibility he earned in a short time by being passionate, proactive and trustworthy. 08:00He gets the operation started for the day with a check on stock before ordering some important items for the weekend. The restaurant is not running out on his watch. 10:00Some stock hasn’t arrived on time. Luxolo spent four weeks at the V&A Academy building personal strengths and interpersonal skills. He leans on these by remaining calm and looking for solutions. 12:00The first customers for the day arrive. They are a big table. In the past, Luxolo was shy in front of large groups. But the two weeks at the Academy, role playing scenarios with his peers and hearing from real managers, helped him get to grips with doing what is needed to get the job done. 13:00Time for a break. Keeping others fed works up an appetite. 15:00It’s nearly the end of his shift. It’s been a long journey to get to this moment. For a second, he thinks about how far he’s progressed. Then, it’s back to the grind – there are hungry customers to feed! TESTIMONIALS FROM OTHER V&A ACADEMY GRADUATES"This opportunity to work at the V&A Waterfront means so much to me. I live with my mother and three siblings. We rely on a grant. Now with this opportunity, I can help to take care of my family and motivate my siblings to strive for more when they are older."- Programme Participant"During the training, I have learned self-awareness. I wasn’t confident speaking in public before. But now I am. The Academy helped me to embrace my strengths and acknowledge my weakness. Today, I feel empowered and work-ready."- Programme Graduate"What excites me the most about working in hospitality is that I love working with people. I love interacting, helping others, experiencing new things and meeting people from different backgrounds in a diverse environment."- Hospitality Trainee Supporting skills, shaping the futureThe V&A Academy and its goals are rooted in the Waterfront’s commitment to create opportunities for others through the way that we do business. That’s why we leverage the partnerships within our interconnected neighbourhood to create spaces for underserved youth to enter the economy.We see ourselves as labour matchmakers, finding the perfect match that empowers a young person while enables a business, large or small, within our neighbourhood ecosystem,” explains Brett Wilks of the V&A Academy. CLICK HERE to find out more about the V&A Academy. IN THE WORLD OF OUR CHANGEMAKERS Related stories Niaz and Migyle, V&A Retail Development Team Read more on our Changemaker: Niaz and Migyle, V&A retail Development Team Read More Deidre, Social Impact At The V&A Read more on our Changemaker: Deidre, Social Impact at the V&A Read More Introducing V&A Change Chapters Read more about our neighbourhood strategy in creating ripples for good. Read More share
