MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN STUDENTS’ LIVES
THE SHORTAGE of people with the right skills and motivation is growing more acute as the nature of work changes rapidly and the Fourth Industrial Revolution gathers pace.
To put it bluntly: if our educational system does not produce people with the right skills in sufficient numbers, we will continue to experience low economic growth and all its attendant evils.
A steady supply of graduate professionals is one of the key requirements of modern economies, especially as economies digitise and become smarter. In particular, graduates in the so-called Stems (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) disciplines are in high demand and short supply.
Given PPS’S 75-year history in providing financial services to graduate professionals, it seemed we were ideally placed – and morally obligated – to get involved in finding ways to improve the flow of graduate professionals into the economy. It was this imperative that drove the formation of the PPS Foundation in 2016, and after two years of operation, we have learnt valuable lessons about what is needed and what works when it comes to assisting students to complete their degrees and make the transition into the world of work.
While financial support is essential, it is not sufficient.
Graduate throughput remains a key concern for universities. It is compounded by the disadvantaged backgrounds from which most students come. In some courses, the first-year dropout rate is 50%. Students need complementary support interventions to help them complete their studies and then find work. For that reason, our bursaries cover tuition, books, accommodation and meals. The bitter truth is that many students are hampered by something as basic as hunger.
In addition, many students need psychosocial counselling and mentoring to make the transition from an often-sub-standard school environment into the university one, and from university into the workplace. Academic counselling is part of it, but there also is a need for help with interpersonal dynamics, managing finances and so on.
Our wraparound approach to university student support provides a holistic structure spanning from the first year to graduation. Unfortunately, with limited financial resources, this kind of approach can be offered to only a limited number of students (we are funding 61) but we are also involved in broader initiatives targeting students and universities. These include support for feeding schemes at places like Stellenbosch, Fort Hare and the Tshwane University of Technology.
Another focus area is helping graduates get jobs. Again, there is a need for a multifaceted approach. Aside from a graduate internship programme at PPS, we have created an online portal to provide students and graduates with access to employment opportunities and information that will help them make the transition from academia into the workplace.
Another intervention is a threeday intensive programme to provide graduates with the skills they need to land that vital first job. Mentorship by our staff and members is something we pursue vigorously.
A holistic approach is required to equip students to succeed.
Having come up with what we believe contributes to such an answer, we have moved to make it easier for others to participate in what we are doing. We have established an online donation platform that will facilitate the regular giving (of money and time) by those who are inspired to support education. In that way, we will build greater traction: the need for workready graduates is great and growing. Vuyo Kobokoane is executive head at the PPS Foundation