TOUWS NEWS

Reflections From The Community Liaison Officer Trainee
by CAREN MEIRING

I am currently a community liaison trainee intern at Knowledge Pele. Knowledge Pele is a research and advisory firms that designs and implements programmes for energy communities. I am from a small energy community called Touwsrivier. The community has a population of about 8000 people. Touwsrivier has a

low employment rate and with the SE.ED programmes(Work experience programmes, Bursary programmes and Enterprise Development programmes) Knowledge

Pele has implemented, I got to understand first-hand just how important their services are to my community.

Although I have no work or tertiary education history, working as an intern for a research and development firm has taught me various things. These include a clearer insight into how communities work and it has also given me the opportunity to strengthen my skills and to learn more about myself and what drives or motivates me.

 

Over the past few months, I’ve learned how to write proper proposals and concept notes. I’ve also had the opportunity to help coordinate events and launches of our programmes and I even got to directly interact with clients in our meetings.

 

Working at a small company, that is experiencing the kind of growth that Knowledge Pele have, has definitely been a bit of a wakeup call. I’ve been exposed to working with a lot of experienced people, like Public Relations officers and enterprise specialists.

 

Finally, the most important thing I’ve learned at Knowledge Pele is how important it is to enjoy coming to work. I’ve had part-time jobs, but this was the first

job where I felt like I was a part of a team and not an undertrained/underqualified intern. I’d also like to thank KP for giving me the opportunity to grow and develop as both a community liaison trainee and as a person.

From my manager who who trained me and works with me every day to help me perform better, to the senior team who spent time teaching me about the renewable

energy sector, and made me feel welcome and valued, you’re the best, and I look forward to being in touch for many years to come.

 

Overall I have found being an intern to be a positive experience and one that I would definitely recommend

to others.

 

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