FAQs
About the Skills Gap Year
1. Why did we start a Gap Year?
2. What is the difference between a GAP Year and our Skills Gap Year?
3. What type of commitment is the Skills Gap Year?
4. Will I have more clarity on which career to choose after the year?
5. How much free time will I have, when enrolled in the Gap Year?
6. Who should join this Gap Year?
7. What will I be doing in the Gap Year?
8. What can I expect from this Gap Year?
9. What makes this Gap Year different from others?
10. Will I cope with such a full program?
11. Will this year not be wasting my time?
12. Am I ready for a Skills Gap Year?
13. What are common misconceptions about a Gap Year?
14. Where are you located?
15. How do I apply for the Gap Year?
16. Do you have student accommodation available?
17. What is the age limit for the Gap Year?
18. What will I need for the Gap Year?
19. What work experience will I be exposed to?
20. What if I have a part-time job or studies?
21. What is the academic calendar for the Gap Year?
22. Do I need a car or some form of transport?
23. Why scuba diving as a Gap Year course?
1. Why did we start the Skills Gap Year?
We started this program because we realized from our own experiences, as well as in our 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.
2. What is the difference between a Skills Gap Year and a Gap Year?
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 into work life.
3. What type of commitment is the Skills Gap Year?
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.
4. Will I have more clarity on which career to choose after the Gap Year?
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.
5. How much free time will I have, when enrolled in the Gap Year?
You will have free time to spend with your family and friends most evenings, weekends, off days, and during the school holidays.
6. Who should join the Skills Gap Year?
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, like learning, and experiencing new things, and have a positive attitude. This is for young people ages 18 to 22 years old.
7. What will I be doing in the Skills Gap Year?
Some of the emotional life skills courses that you will be doing during the gap year include emotional intelligence, people skills (interaction with others - thus communication and conflict resolution), personal skills (self-consciousness, managing your emotions and stress), and cognitive skills (critical thinking and problem-solving).
Some of the practical life skills courses that you will be doing during the gap year include Scuba Diving, Photography, Social Media & Online Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Business Management, First Aid levels 1 & 2, Biblical Foundations, Career choices, Ocean conservation courses, and volunteer work.
The courses are presented in a group setting, our groups are kept to a minimum number of students per year because we pay attention to each individual. You will be learning and growing within a mentoring relationship. You will also have regular one-on-one sessions where you have the opportunity to talk through more personal matters.
You will also have one-on-one career guidance sessions as well as take part in regular job shadowing.
We have regular outings and include adventure activities in our program.
The gap year also includes various trips and tours. Every year is unique and we visit places like Egypt, Mafia Island, Madagascar, and St. Helena Island. We have an Africa tour where we travel through 5 African countries. We also do local trips in our beautiful country. These tours will expand your mind, experiences, and interests.
8. What can I expect from the Skills Gap Year?
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 possibilities and opportunities.
9. What makes the Skills Gap Year different from others?
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.
10. Will I cope with such a full program?
The program is jam-packed to give our students as much as possible in the time you 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 you realize how capable you are. We only grow outside of our comfort zone.
11. Will this year not be wasting my time?
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!
12. Am I ready for a Skills Gap Year?
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.
13. What are common misconceptions about a Skills Gap Year?
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.
The gap year is in Gordon’s Bay, a coastal town 45 minutes drive from Cape Town City Bowl. We mainly present most of our programs at the Crystal Beach Hotel facilities.
15. How do I apply for the Skills Gap Year?
You are welcome to
You can fill out the Application Form and send it back to us.
16. Do you have student accommodation available?
Yes. More info on the available accommodation...
17. What is the age limit for the Prep Year?
We will accept students between 18 and 22 years old for the gap year program.
18. What will I need for the Skills Gap Year?
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
19. What work experience can I be exposed to?
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, websites, 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.
20. What if I have a part-time job or studies?
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 join our Skills Development Program. Contact us to discuss your specific needs.
21. What is the academic calendar for the Gap Year?
We work according to the Western Cape government school calendar.
22. Do I need a car or some form of transport?
No, you will not need a car within the program. We have student vehicles and mostly travel as a group.
23. Why scuba diving as a gap year course?
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.
If you have any other questions please CONTACT US.
