This programme engages with prospective graduates and is designed to help them become Learned , Engaged , Accelerated Professionals . The sessions include engagement on various discussion topics and offer skills training in areas pertinent to the transition from student to being an economically active member of society . In the last year , the work-readiness programme , where sessions were primarily conducted in person , was hosted in a webinar format to cater to students who would normally engage us on campus .
Another exciting initiative is the PPS Young Leadership Forum , which is a 12-month programme for a select group of employees under the age of 35 . This forum was launched in 2019 and provides training and development for future business leaders . Ten PPS employees were selected to participate in this programme where they engage in solving a range of business challenges .
At PPS , the ethos of mutuality informs everything we do and , based on this philosophy , we are committed to supporting the development of South Africa ’ s pipeline of professionals . The PPS Foundation continues to implement several development initiatives that are aligned to two of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals which include quality education , decent work and economic growth .
As it is a Public Benefit Organisation , the PPS Foundation created a donations platform to broaden its donor base . This is a safe and easy-to-use portal , which can be accessed at
https :// ppsfoundation . pps . co . za , and allows members , other professionals and the public , in general , to donate towards the foundation ’ s activities .
Without the generosity of so many , many more of our talented youth would have been disenfranchised .
Fighting fire
Following a disastrous wildfire that burned vast areas of Cape Town ’ s iconic Table Mountain , historical landmarks including the University of Cape Town ’ s library , the PPS Foundation decided to donate R200 000 to assist the impacted .
PPS Corporate Social Investment Senior Manager , Subashni Gounder says : “ The funds would be used to assist the students that were impacted by the fire get back on their feet . Most of the students who were affected have lost all their personal belongings .”
Gounder says that South Africa needs many more qualified professionals to work towards improving the economy and creating more job opportunities . “ We need to eradicate poverty and a sound education can help us to achieve this . We all need to work together to
achieve this common goal . Why wait for tomorrow when we can make the change today ”.
PPS in partnership with a global movement to end hunger , Rise Against Hunger Africa is also helping students by contributing towards alleviating food insecurity experienced by students in various academic institutions .
Photo by Lerato Maduna
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