We started this program because we realized from our own experiences, as well as in our years of experience working with young people, that people need guidance and support, especially in making big decisions like choosing a career. Learning practical and especially emotional life skills is vital. We help young people to make the best transition possible into adult life.
Taking a Gap Year before entering tertiary education or your first job gives you a chance to experience more and be exposed to a variety of job options.
When people hear GAP year, they usually conclude that you are taking a year off. The definition of a Gap Year is a period, typically an academic year, taken by a student as a break between school and university or college education.
Our Skills Gap Year, in contrast to this, is a program designed to prepare students for their first year of higher education or first job. Our Skills Gap Year is a program where the students engage in different courses, travel, work experience, and volunteer work. It’s taking the time to develop your emotional and practical skills to prepare you for university or entering work life.
This is a full-time commitment. We work according to the school terms, and students get to go home for the school holidays during the year. Some of the holidays may be spent on tour with the program.
Yes. This is one of the main focus points of the year, to expose the students to many different career options. There is an in-depth career guidance session involving aptitude and personality questionnaires and throughout the year we guide and advise our students in private sessions. Students will attend job shadowing opportunities of their choice every term.
You will have free time to spend with your family and friends most evenings, weekends, off days, and during the school holidays.
This program is for young people who are not sure what they want to do after matriculating as well as for those who want to gain experience doing various courses, tours, and volunteer work. The life skills we teach are practical life skills and emotional life skills. We have a holistic approach and focus on a balanced body, soul, and spirit. This Gap Year will be of most value to people who are interested in personal development, expanding their horizons, and experiencing new things, and have a positive attitude. This is for young people ages 18 to 22 years old.
This is a personal development year where we help you realize your personal goals. This year will broaden your horizons and open your eyes to many new possibilities and opportunities.
We have a passion for people, to help you develop and see you succeed. This is not a job to us but a calling. The young, dynamic group that is involved with our gap year has the same values and ideals.
The program is jam-packed to give our students as much as possible in the time they are with us. We will not expect things from you that you are not capable of, but we like to push students a bit so that they realize how capable they are. We only grow outside of our comfort zone.
The gap year is an investment that you make in yourself. You take time to focus on yourself, get to know yourself better, and develop yourself. We believe that after this year, you will have a head start. You will have more clarity on what you want to do and the way you need to take to get there. This is a road less traveled, but it is worth it!
This comes down to your attitude. If you are positive and willing to learn, you can achieve anything. The year will be what you make of it. We give as much as possible to each student, to give them the most opportunities to grow and learn; the rest is up to each student whether they seize these opportunities or not.
Thinking it is a year that you take to do nothing.
This Skills Gap Year is quite the opposite of doing nothing. It is a jam-packed year. You will complete the year having done various Certificates and courses.
Think that it’s for people who are ‘not very academic’.
The Skills Gap Year will be of great value to anyone. Many matriculants are not ready for tertiary studies when they leave school; this program is there to help bridge that gap.
The gap year is in Gordon’s Bay, a coastal town 45 minutes’ drive from Cape Town City Bowl in South Africa. We mainly present most of our programs at the Crystal Beach Hotel facilities.
You are welcome to Book A Discovery Call with us to discuss the options available to you and to answer any questions you may have.
If you are ready, you can fill out the Application Form.
Student accommodation is available in Gordon’s Bay on a first-come, first-served basis.
Options include:
- Shared student flats
- Live-in accommodation options
If accommodation is full, we assist students in finding suitable local accommodation and help connect students who would like to share housing.
Our team works to ensure students feel safe, supported, and comfortable during their stay.
Note: Accommodation options are offered separately from the Skills Gap Year program fee.
We will accept students between 18 and 22 years old for the gap year program.
Appropriate Clothing and shoes for each of the following:
- Sportswear
- Swimwear
- Hiking wear
- Presentable clothes for working with customers
- Passport and ID
- Cell phone in good working order
- Digital Camera
- Laptop/ tablet
You get exposure and/or experience in the following areas:
Marketing, admin, communications, retail, travel & tourism, customer service, facilitating classes, marketing, entrepreneurship, presentations & public speaking, compiling information, writing articles, social media management, content creation, photography, underwater photography, graphic design, and volunteer work.
When a student shows interest in a specific area, they have the option to do job shadowing in that profession. Job shadowing is part of our program and will be arranged every term.
Since the gap year program is a full-time commitment, you will not be able to take part in the gap year while having a part-time job. You will, however, be able to apply for our Internship Program.
We work according to the Western Cape government school calendar.
You won’t need your own car during the program, as most activities, excursions, and day-to-day transport are organised and done as a group.
Outside of the program—such as on weekends, off days, or holidays—having access to a car can definitely make it easier to explore, get around independently, and make the most of your free time. That said, it’s not essential. Many participants get by comfortably using ridesharing, public transport, or by making plans with friends.
In short: a car isn’t required, but it can be a helpful bonus if you’d like more flexibility in your free time.
Scuba diving is used as a tool to teach emotional life skills since it’s physically and mentally challenging to varying degrees. It gives a great sense of pride and accomplishment, especially where there are fears and/or low self-esteem. It also opens up a new world of adventure for each individual and is a great group activity.