Graduates attending the ACCESS40 Future Builders Bootcamp.
Image: Supplied
A new workplace readiness boot camp aimed at helping unemployed graduates bridge the gap between higher education and employment will be launched in Johannesburg later this month.
The ACCESS70 Workplace Launchpad Boot Camp will take place from June 19 to 26 and is open to tertiary graduates aged between 18 and 35. Participation is free, and selected graduates will receive a stipend to assist with transport costs. Applications close on Tuesday, June 16.
The initiative was established by ACCESS70 under the leadership of Israel Noko, founder and chief executive of NPI Governance Solutions, in response to rising graduate unemployment in South Africa.
“This has been a long-term vision of mine,” said Noko.
“The number of graduates leaving university and remaining unemployed is increasing. It’s currently at over 12% which amounts to more than 24 000 young people who leave university with a degree each year but cannot find work. Often the issue is not that positions are not available, but that graduates do not have access to the opportunities. In the gig economy, it is designed to bridge the gap between higher education and employment.”
He added that offering the programme at no cost helps ensure that graduates are not excluded because of financial constraints.
The week-long programme has been developed in collaboration with graduates, corporate partners and industry leaders and focuses on sectors where South Africa faces skills shortages, including digital and information technology, financial services, marketing and sales, supply chain and logistics, and engineering.
According to Noko, building confidence and resilience forms an important part of the training.
“Losing hope can be a consequence of prolonged unemployment but attitude remains one of the most important factors in determining how far you will go. Employers look beyond academic achievements for graduates who are adaptable, resilient, eager to learn and committed to contributing positively in the workplace, making this aspect a vital part of the training.”
Participants will take part in workplace simulations, mentoring sessions, networking opportunities and employer engagement activities designed to provide insight into workplace expectations and improve employability.
Training will cover professional communication, teamwork, problem-solving, personal branding, interview preparation and workplace etiquette.
The programme also includes employer matching and placement support after the training period.
“The programme doesn’t end with the boot camp. It includes employer matching and placement support after training as well as ongoing career monitoring that’s aimed at sustained employment rather than just job placement. We’re in this to make a difference – to the unemployment crisis and to young lives,” said Noko.
He said candidates would be selected according to specific criteria.
“We’re looking for graduates who are ready to give the programme 110%, for creatives who can turn ideas into useful solutions, for future leaders who are serious and willing to be stretched and for those with discipline and an appetite for opportunity.”
Applications are available through the ACCESS70 website: www.access70.co.za