First group of KLCBT interns graduates with aplomb in Mbombela
The Internship Success programme was initiated when a huge gap in employees' skills was identified after completion of studies, which will bring them closer to meet the skills companies require for a specific role.
The Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism (KLCBT) held its first graduation ceremony for 18 students at Church Unlimited on Tuesday September 26. It was part of the KLCBT’s Internship Success programme.
The KLCBT’s COO, Linda Grimbeek, said its main goals are to offer valuable learning experiences to turn graduates into work-ready professionals. “With this initiative we are offering students opportunities to gain experience in their fields of study. We also want them to start their own businesses and create their own employment. We are very excited with the success of this first group, and we hope to see more joining. I wish them all well in their future endeavours.”
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Grimbeek added that the KLCBT plans to eventually enrol 1 000 students into the programme and absorb at least 50 of them to alleviate unemployment. The creator of Internship Success, Hendrik Janse van Rensburg, initiated the programme after identifying a huge gap between an employee’s skills after completion of studies and the skills companies requires for a specific role.
“I realised there are thousands of students who leave tertiary educations without a lifeline. Many companies want to hire people with experience and young people leaving tertiary institutions are vulnerable and unemployable. With this initiative we are trying to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
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“By physically engaging interns in various aspects of business operations, they gain hands-on exposure to real-world scenarios to equip them with essential skills and insights,” said Van Rensburg. He thanked the companies that had opened their doors to these students in the belief that what they had learnt would be used for their benefit and the companies they may join.
One of the graduates, Zethu Shabangu, thanked the KLCBT for the programme and the opportunity it had provided, saying it is ‘something we all need’. She also said they would use all skills obtained to secure jobs or to start their own businesses.
