Architect and Builder September/October 2015 | Page 81
Skills Development
with Long-term
Benefits
programme, Go for Gold moves the students into Phase 2 of
the programme: an internship year where they are employed
by a sponsoring company to experience the industry and
help make informed career choices.
“The internship year is hugely valuable as it allows
students to gain first-hand experience of the various
professions involved in the Built Industry and other related
sectors,” says Bridget. “It is also strongly supported by our
industry partners, who get a chance to assess the students’
future employability.”
This sentiment is endorsed by Chrystal Poole, HR Director
with Civil Engineers Haw & Inglis: “Each year we employ
50 - 60% of our new students from Go for Gold. If I had it
my way, Go for Gold would be my one-stop shop! Go for
Gold students are really different because they’ve been well
prepared during Phase 1 and have already been exposed to
the industry. I would take 100% if I could, but they are in
such demand from the other partner companies.”
Once the students complete their internship year they
start their Phase 3 tertiary academic studies, with most fully
sponsored by the same company who employed them during
their internship year.
Students have the freedom to choose their course of
studies, although civil engineering and quantity surveying
are among the most popular choices.
Boasting a very low under-graduate dropout rate, 80%
of Go for Gold students graduate in the minimum period
and move immediately from University to guaranteed
employment with their sponsoring company (Phase 4).
“It’s a win for both parties. Our partner companies are
able to earn SED and Skills Development B-BBEE points
through their investment in Go for Gold and employ qualified
graduates from disadvantaged communities, who are wellprepared for a career in the sector. Simultaneously, the
student has the security of employment and they repay
this by being incredibly loyal to their sponsoring company,”
says Bridget.
For more information on Go for Gold and how to
become a partner company, visit www.goforgold.org.za
or contact 021 703 0395 or email [email protected]
Some Go for Gold students enter in-house training
acadamies as part of their Phase 3 studies
Go for Gold students at
the 2014 awards ceremony
Go for Gold
79