Vodacom empowers graduates

Vodacom Limpopo, through their Internship Programme, has over the past 12 months equipped 21 graduates from across Limpopo with practical skills in Information Technology (IT), Business Management and Marketing.
In order to ensure their complete grasp the graduates were given full exposure to Vodacom’s business operations in relation to their respective qualifications. They were also exposed to practical experience at Vodacom’s distribution channels and Regional Office.
Speaking at their graduation ceremony at their headquarters in Polokwane on Tuesday, Vodacom Limpopo’s Waterberg County Manager, Dora Francis said the initiative allowed Vodacom to give young adults who have studied in certain faculties the opportunity to gain valuable work experience for a minimum of 12 months. “Vodacom also believes in inclusion for all and as part of the programme we had one differently abled intern and women representation in the IT Faculty.”
She stressed that the work experience would assist the interns to become competitive in the working environment and to trigger their brains as potential future entrepreneurs. “We had 21 graduates taking part in the programme. The project was in partnership with Sekhukhune TVET College, Waterberg TVET College and the Sector Education and Training Authority (Seta).
Equipping the youth with practical experience in their field has proven not only to have improved their employment opportunities but will also greatly increase the labour market as a whole, productivity, innovation and stimulate economic growth,” Francis said.
She further stated that it was important for them to include graduates in the programme because Vodacom sees itself as part of a community, having a role to play in contributing to the well-being and the development of the community. “We are a brand with purpose, connecting people for a better future. South Africa is faced with a high unemployment rate and this is just one of the ways for Vodacom Limpopo Region to make a difference in the lives of our people and assist in closing the poverty gap,” concluded Francis.

Story and photos: Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert.observer@gmail.com