Developing a Mentorship Programme to Improve Employment Outcomes for the Barista Training Programme Graduates
Sponsor Organization: The Hope Exchange
Sponsor Liaison: Charity Pote, Ph.D
Team Members: Ben Cruse (Robotics Engineering ’26), William Folan (Electrical & Computer Engineering ’26), Destiny Lum (Civil Engineering ’26), Talha Qamar (Biomedical Engineering ’26), and Zachary Roethlein (Aerospace Engineering ’26)
Advisors: Michele Femc-Bagwell, Ph.D & Patricia Agupusi, Ph.D
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Abstract
The Hope Exchange (THE) is a nonprofit organization that aims to uplift homeless individuals out of poverty. This project explores how the development of a Mentorship Programme could help improve the employment outcomes of graduates from THE’s Barista Training Programme in Cape Town, South Africa. Despite gaining job specific skills, graduates face challenges in securing stable employment due to systemic barriers and personal hardships. Through interviews and surveys with graduates, staff, and local businesses, the study identified key obstacles graduates face and potential mentorship strategies to account for them. The findings underscore the vital role mentorship plays in fostering self-sufficiency for individuals transitioning out of homelessness.
The Project Team!