It’s time for students to get practical
IF YOU’RE planning to do some job shadowing these coming winter holidays, start making the necessary arrangements. If you leave it for too late, you may find that no one can accommodate you, cautions Natalie Rabson of Boston City Campus and Business College.
“Job shadowing has taken off magnificently,” she comments. “Ten years ago when Cell C launched their Take a Girl Child to Work Day, the initiative was regarded as innovative and both learners and companies wondered – could it work and how would it work? Since then many similar initiatives have been launched, with the corporate community making an effort to introduce learners to real-time work experiences to supplement what they hear about from their guidance counsellors.”
According to statistics published on the cellular company’s website, an estimated 500 000 girl children (about 50 000 per year) have participated in its Cell C Take a Girl Child campaign so far; with approximately 1 800 public institutions and private businesses having participated, including the Presidency.
“Companies are definitely receiving an increasing number of requests these days from matriculants for job shadowing, and from students for practical training opportunities,” Rabson points out.
“The best timing for learners is during the holidays so that it doesn’t interfere with their studies. Companies, however, have to follow their production and service schedules and can only allocate a limited amount of time to activities like job shadowing and practical training.”
She advises matric and other pupils who are still uncertain about which career choice will best suit them, to approach companies and individuals to make job shadowing arrangements as soon as possible. Hopefully they can then start job shadowing as soon as the exams are over. The same applies to tertiary students who need to get workplace exposure or complete a practical period at a company as part of their qualification.
“Learners and students are expected to make their own arrangements,” Rabson adds. “If you take the initiative you will ensure you get to a company you want and the workplace experience you want. Do not wait for others to do it on your behalf.”
Last year Boston City Cam- pus and Business College launched a programme that assists Boston final-year students to get some valuable work experience to enhance their CVs.
The Boston consulting team contacts companies to secure internships and practical training opportunities for its students. The college’s team does it all: they liaise with companies, arrange interviews, groom students, take care of the paperwork and ensure that both the students and the participating companies get what they were looking for out of the Experience it! programme.
According to Rabson, the Experience It! programme has been well received by both companies and students: for students it means they can get hands-on experience and skills to complement their academic studies; while for companies it means that they will have an extra pair of hands at their disposal.
Companies are under no obligation but can, should they wish to do so, employ students full-time upon completion of their studies.
The Star and the Argus newspapers, Ernst and Young (accounting and professional services), 1Time airlines, Comair Airlines, Bidvest Bank, Gale Force Marketing, Thebe Exhibitions, Amrod’s and Hirsch’s Home Store are some of the companies that currently participate in the college’s programme, where students get exposure to, among others, finance, bookkeeping, telesales, call centres and PR.
Luxury adventure travel and safari company andBeyond (formerly known as Conservation Corporation Africa) has hosted some of the Boston travel and tourism students at its Sandton offices.
“We’ve found it to be beneficial to everyone involved – students and us,” Andrew Retallack of andBeyond commented earlier this year. “It allows us to fill vacant roles temporarily. But, of key importance, is that it allows us to identify new talent for the company and for the industry.”
The company usually hosts 12 students per year, with each group of six students staying for a period of six months.
During this time, the focus is on exposing students to jobs where they see themselves fit in one day in the future. They receive destination and systems training that enables them to make bookings and compile guest documentation; get insight into itineraries; and are required to assist with normal functions such as stock control and customer liaison.
Students work in a team environment and are encouraged to meet deadlines and manage their time as fullyfledged members of the andBeyond team.
Boston constantly consults with companies regarding their staffing needs and invites interested companies and Boston students to visit their mobile site: experience it.mobi or www.boston.co.za for the latest updates, including opportunities for the upcoming holidays.
Boston City Campus and Business College offers over 80 dynamic career qualifications over 40 branches nationwide. Unisa degrees and media studies are also available at selected branches. Contact Boston on 011 551 2000, e-mail info@boston.co.za, visit www.boston.co.za, find them on Facebook.