HIV / Aids

Addressing the HIV/Aids pandemic is both a moral and business imperative. ADvTECH recognises the serious threat HIV/Aids poses to the economy and the nation as a whole.

ADvTECH’s HIV/Aids policy is based on the core principles of non-discrimination and confidentiality. The Group is compliant with all workplace legislation relating to HIV/Aids and is committed to protecting staff, students and candidates against unfair discrimination on the basis of their HIV status. Their right to confidentiality is also guaranteed. Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) is regularly conducted amongst staff and students and the HIV/Aids risk to the Group has been assessed as relatively low.

ADvTECH capitalises on its learning environment to educate our students and promote responsibility with regard to HIV/Aids. Examples include:

• speakers who regularly address pupils, staff and parents at our schools,
• events that increase HIV/Aids awareness, and
• readily available condoms, pamphlets and brochures at our higher education institutions.

Children from Junior Colleges Sandton dressed in red on World Aids Day on which they learnt about HIV and remembered people suffering with Aids.

VCT was facilitated by Right to Care at Rosebank College in Pretoria. The response to VCT at higher education campuses across the Group increased noticeably this year. Many sites had to arrange additional VCT days to accommodate the number of students interested.

College Campus and Rosebank College both host Candlelight Memorials annually at their campuses to educate students on HIV/Aids related issues. Topics addressed at these events include the impact of
HIV/Aids on society, the rights protecting people with HIV/Aids and dispelling myths associated with contracting Aids.