CHANCE TO GET REAL WORK EXPERIANCE FOR GRADUATES

What a fabulous opportunity - I only hope that people take up the offer.

Chance to get real work experience for graduates
Theo Garrun

31 May 2007 at 15h55

There has been a lot of debate around affirmative action recently, with some commentators saying there is actually no skills shortage in South Africa. That argument is based on the assumption that there are plenty of skilled black people who, for whatever reasons, are not being taken up into the employment market. However, the reluctance on the part of employers to take on new graduates has as much to do with the inability of those graduates to immediately add value to the organisation as anything else.

There are, through the various Setas, a number of work-readiness programmes designed to bridge the gap between academia and the world of work. The Guarantee Trust Bonani programme is a shining example of what can be achieved, and the scheme is currently looking for new recruits.

The Bonani work-readiness program for unemployed commerce graduates has trained 820 people in the last five years. The programme focuses on the selection, training and placement of previously disadvantaged commerce graduates into the accounting profession in conjunction with Fasset, the accounting and financial services Seta, and the department of labour, which provides funding and overall guidance.

It is difficult for previously disadvantaged graduates to make it through the system and finally qualify. Graduates receive academic qualifications with decent pass rates, but experience a shortfall of skill in application of knowledge once employed. The Guarantee Trust programme bridges this gap. Vital to the process is careful selection of those who have the capacity to make it in this profession. The programme content is thoroughly researched and each segment is included only because of its direct impact on the graduates' ability to succeed in the workplace.

An interesting addendum to this programme is a unique workplace simulation practical module that will be added in Kyalami and Durban this year. All trainees will prepare actual company financial records encompassing all transactions for five companies over 12 months.

Monitors will run this programme as "virtual offices" simulating an actual work environment. This will roll out with each trainee in Johannesburg and Durban having their own fully functional work stations. At the end of the three months the trainee will be streaks ahead of the typical applicant. Once these graduates are through the work-readiness and virtual office programmes, the virtual office accountants will work with practices to monitor and assist graduates to actually see them through learnerships.

A final but vital part of the Guarantee Trust success formula is the attention given after the placement of the learner to ensure that teething problems are overcome and by offering practice support where possible. Requirements to be part of this programme are as follows:

Be a recognised commerce graduate, with an accounting major, from a recognised tertiary institute in SA (B Comm, B Compt, B Acc or a national diploma). Tertiary institute means university or technikon or university of technology.

There are positions for residents of Gauteng and KwaZulu Natal. Applicants from other areas such as Nelspruit, Polokwane, Bloemfontein and Mmabatho will have to find a place to stay in the greater Joburg, Pretoria, Vaal and KwaZulu Natal for the duration of the programme.

You must be able to travel daily in the Kyalami/Midrand area or in Pretoria or in Durban.

You may not be currently employed in the accounting profession. If you are a trainee accountant somewhere else and not in the profession, you still qualify for the project. You may also be employed in a non-accounting job but wanting to be in the profession

Be prepared to enter into a learnership contract with a professional accountant (this is what is needed to become a professional accountant).

Be available to do the training during the months specified and must be willing to sign a learnership or employment contract with an accounting or Fasset-registered organisation

Commerce graduates who are interested in joining the programme and fulfil the requirements should contact Guarantee Trust in Johannesburg (011-466-3312) or Durban (031-701-6702).