The South African Breweries (SAB) has introduced a graduate management training programme aimed at providing university graduates with the necessary work experience to create high-quality future leaders within its business in South Africa and in key markets across the rest of Africa.
The programme is a direct response to Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa’s call on the private sector to employ young graduates without work experience, made during his Youth Day speech at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto.
This is where the president highlighted the challenge faced by young people with university degrees who were struggling to find employment.
He emphasised that for the country and business sector to grow, it was necessary for these graduates to be provided with employment despite their lack of work experience.
Graduates selected to participate in the graduate management training programme promises to be immediately employed by the SAB and participate in a ten-month experiential course, before being formally placed in permanent positions within the business.
The programme is rotational, as participants gain experience in several areas of the business, in South Africa and other AB Inbev operations in Africa.
Statistics South Africa in 2017 showed that graduate unemployment rates in South Africa had reached a 13-year high.
The rise in figures, according to the SAB, has not abated, with unemployment among graduates in the first quarter of 2018 at 33,5% for those aged 15 to 24, and at 10,2% among those aged 25 to 34 years.
It has been noted that lack of experience increases the vulnerabilities of the youth in the labour market.
“Youth unemployment in South Africa can only be addressed when big businesses support public sector efforts to bridge the gap between education, skills development and gainful employment,” said Lucia Swartz, vice-president of People at AB InBev Africa.
“In this way, we are able to ensure that our young graduates are well equipped to make a meaningful contribution to the world of work.”
The training programme is open to eligible graduates residing in South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, Nigeria and Ghana.
Requirements are a bachelor or masters degree (or equivalent), across all faculties; with a minimum of 3,0 or 4,0 grade point average (B average); less than two years formal work experience; proficiency in English; and geographic mobility.
Graduates can visit www. abinbevafricagraduates.com for further information on the programme.
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