The Bernini Project, in collaboration with OneVoice South Africa NPC (OVSA), was a powerful initiative dedicated to uplifting young women in Technical and Vocational Education and Training College (TVET) across South Africa through emotional and professional development. Through its two focused ‘soft skills’ programmes, the project empowered participants with the tools and confidence needed to achieve financial freedom, enhance their skills, and navigate the transition from education to the workplace with greater ease.

Through this partnership, OVSA delivered targeted soft skills training that bridged the gap between education and the world of work. Training modules included essential skills such as effective communication, workplace etiquette, time management, and emotional IQ, addressing key areas that many recent graduates often find challenging when entering the job market. To maximise impact, the project was implemented across several Technical and Vocational Education and Training College (TVET) in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, providing much-needed exit support to Student Support Departments and ensuring young women are better prepared for real-world opportunities. The initiative ran across two key streams:

Project 1 (Year 1): Re-setting the Economic Empowerment Clock – a five-day intensive training programme for N6 National Accredited Technical Education Diploma (NATED) students. Applicants were selected based on a submitted CV and letter of motivation, ensuring commitment and readiness to benefit fully from the programme.

Project 2 (Year 2): Extending the Reach – a one-day workshop that was offered to a wider group of young women, focusing on practical skills such as CV writing and interviewing techniques, helping to build confidence and job-seeking readiness.

In its second year, the Bernini Project, in partnership with OneVoice South Africa NPC (OVSA), expanded its reach and deepened its impact in empowering young women across South Africa. Focused on fostering emotional growth, professional readiness, and financial freedom, the project introduced new elements to better support participants and strengthen their transition into the working world.

Building on the success of its initial phase, Year 2 saw the inclusion of dedicated mentors assigned to support groups of mentees, offering personalised guidance and addressing individual development needs. To streamline implementation and improve outcomes, Student Liaison Officers were also onboarded at participating Technical and Vocational Education and Training College (TVET) in KwaZulu-Natal. Their role included coordinating logistics, assisting with training delivery, and facilitating access to internships and volunteer opportunities, paving the way for practical experience and employment.

The project met and exceeded its training goals:

• 90 graduates completed the intensive five-day training through Project 1: Re-setting the Economic Empowerment Clock.
• 1,000 graduates were equipped with job-seeking tools and confidence through Project 2: Extending the Reach.

Beyond numbers, the real impact was seen in the lives changed—several beneficiaries went on to secure employment or launch their small businesses, putting their skills into action and taking steps toward long-term independence. This partnership between Bernini and OVSA further proved the power of collaboration in tackling youth unemployment, promoting gender equity, and supporting the holistic development of young female graduates.

Together, Bernini and OVSA made inspiring strides in closing the skills gap, promoting gender equality, and creating pathways to sustainable empowerment for South Africa’s next generation of female leaders.