MORE women in South Africa are breaking the barriers impeding them from all employment spheres.
Sunday World spoke to Amukelani Baloyi and Tebatso Maesela, the first two graduates to be admitted into the country ’ s first graduate training programme for loss adjusters.
The programme was launched by Nedbank and Cunningham Lindsey, the world ’ s largest loss adjustment firm.
The fraternity, which is integral to the insurance industry, has been around for more than 100 years, both internationally and in SA, yet less than 20% of young people are absorbed into the industry each year.
Baloyi says she studied quantity surveying at Wits and has always been interested in the construction industry.
“I grew up fascinated by the construction industry, and I have always planned to study something in construction. ”
For SA, where more than half of the youth are unemployed and many graduates struggle to find work, the industry presents a viable platform where young people can develop invaluable skills that will enable them to earn a living and make a meaningful contribution to the economy.
She says because the industry is unpopular, it makes it difficult for black people to consider their contribution as valuable.
The Mpumalanga-born Baloyi says being part of the programme means a lot to her.
“This means a lot to me. The beginning of
the career I really love.”
Explaining her role in the industry further, Baloyi says “it entails surveying the site of loss, assessing damage to the site and appointing a service provider to repair the damages ”.
“After the assessment, you then prepare a report for the insurer with recommendations of how the claim should be settled.”
Fellow graduate Maesela says she is planning to create awareness for black students about the industry.
“I would love to see more and more young people, particularly black young people, join the industry. This industry is so bros (male-dominated) and that also needs to change.”
Maesela did construction studies at Wits University and says she is busy with postgraduate studies in property development and management.
Hailing from a rural village in Limpopo, Maesela encouraged young people to think above their degrees.
“I have learned that life is real. Your qualification does not mean much these days because there are 5 000 other graduates applying for the jobs you are applying for every day. Young people have to invest in hard work and skills, and everyday, when you are a black person, you constantly have to prove yourself, ” says Maesela.
Maesela says in the industry they deal more with building damages.
“We do value at risk and bills of quantities,” she says.
The industry is also open to accountants, engineers, lawyers and property specialists.