Employment & Entrepreneurship
For many, the journey from education to employment is an uphill battle, leaving them trapped in a cycle of frustration, with few or no opportunities for work or further training. In response to this crisis, two pivotal pathways have emerged to bridge the employment gap: traditional internships and more outcome-focused learnerships. Both of these programmes are essential in arming young people with the practical experience and skills they need to embark on fulfilling careers. Here’ s how to navigate these opportunities.
Understanding internships
Internships are organised, brief programmes aimed at undergraduate students or recent graduates. They provide essential exposure to professional environments and opportunities to cultivate practical skills. By engaging in internships, individuals acquire knowledge about different sectors, thereby improving their employability and establishing connections that could lead to future job opportunities. Typically centred around particular projects or positions, these programs offer participants a glimpse into the professional world and associated expectations.
Exploring learnerships
Conversely, learnerships offer a distinctive method for equipping young individuals for the job market. These programmes are closely linked to employment prospects from the very beginning. By merging theoretical instruction with practical experience, learnerships are especially advantageous for those who lack the resources to access higher education or who have considerable experience gaps. Through the direct combination of academic learning and practical skill development, they provide participants with a strong foundation, enabling them to enter the workforce with confidence.
In a nutshell, internships are short-term programmes providing students or graduates with structured workplace exposure, building practical skills and improving employability. Learnerships, on the other hand, are aligned to an employment opportunity from the get-go, combining theoretical training with hands-on experience. They are particularly valuable for individuals who may not have the resources to pursue tertiary education, or are battling with an experience gap.
At TransUnion’ s Global Capability Centre Africa, learnerships are prioritised and preferred based on the positive outcomes learnerships presented over the last four years.“ Learnerships play a critical role in addressing youth unemployment by providing young people the tools they need to succeed,” explains Xoe Mfokazi, Head of Operations at the TransUnion Global Capability Centre( GCC) Africa.“ We are committed to being part of the solution by upskilling South Africa’ s youth and empowering them to build brighter futures through our learnership programme.”
We are committed to being part of the solution by upskilling South Africa’ s youth and empowering them to build brighter futures through our learnership programme. www. futuresa. co. za 97