Cleopatra Jones spent two years sitting at home after graduating from her diploma in journalism. At the time, finding her dream job was just that – a dream.
With the rate of unemployment in South Africa on a rapid increase, many graduates have found themselves going years unable to put their qualifications to good use. Job creation has further become an attraction to many a political party’s campaigns, with the ANC and DA promising as much as six and seven million jobs, respectively, following a victory in this year’s general elections.
In its manifesto, the EFF focuses on seven key socio-economic and political issues, including implementing a minimum wage of R4500 across the board for all full-time workers. The DA further plans to create jobs through improving education, increasing funding for matriculants studying further, and creating one million internships for graduates.
The challenge of graduates finding industry-suitable jobs after obtaining their qualifications was, however, the premise on which Rosebank College began its Graduate Empowerment Programme in 2012. Rosebank College is a brand of the Independent Institute of Education (The IIE), which is regarded as the leader in the private educational sector.
National Graduate Development Manager, Lillian Bususu, said as much as promises were made by politicians regarding education, more was needed in order to alleviate graduate unemployment. “Government needs to re-look at our education system to match global standards if we are to create competent graduates, she said.
“They also need to incentivise companies to absorb graduates and to increase youth development agencies with a bias towards promotion of entrepreneurship.”
Bususu, who has been involved with the programme since its inception, has been able to help place just over 1760 graduates like Jones through the programme. The purpose of the programme is to equip students with skills, understandings and personal attributes, making them more likely to gain employment and be successful in their chosen occupation. The programme was built on feedback received from companies based on what they were looking for in new graduates.
According to the World Economic Forum Global Risk 2014 report, South Africa’s unemployment rate was the third highest in the world, with 50% of young people aged between 15 and 24 not having jobs. A 2013 report by the Centre for Development and Enterprise, however, found that graduate unemployment in South Africa was only below 6% – similar to developed countries.
After undergoing a “grooming session” with Bususu and volunteering at the SABC for a year, Jones managed to get a job as Production Coordinator for the current affairs television show, Special Assignment. Jones said being encouraged to volunteer was the best career advice she received. “I just want to thank Rosebank College for all the support they provided me , as well as the Employability department for the grooming sessions, which gave me the confidence to express myself in a good way.” With a passion for empowering young minds to enforce global change through bridging existing gaps, Bususu lives by the motto: “As one person, I cannot change the world – but I can change the world of one person.”
An average of three graduates who have gone through the programmeare placed in big companies within industries, such as Apple, Cell C and banks per day. Students in the programme are taught how to distinguish themselves amongst other graduates and becoming more employable; how to compile a winning cover letter and CV; how to dress the part; how to best sell yourself in an interview; and how to become a “Global Graduate”.
Bususu’s greatest motivation comes from her role-model and father, Tobias, who taught her that nothing is impossible, and if one wanted to be irreplaceable, they must always be different. She said, her vision for South Africa’s youth was that they are equipped with the right skills and knowledge. “This will help enable them to fully participate in the country’s development, economy and further represent SA on the global market.”
