Written by Snaye Mdubu

Enza Construction launched its Graduate Development Programme in 2019, not as a short-term recruitment initiative, but as a deliberate investment in long-term capability. Since then, the programme has grown steadily, mirroring both the company’s expansion and its confidence in early-career professionals as a strategic asset.

In a South African context where graduate unemployment remains persistently high, this approach reflects a conscious decision to move beyond symbolic job creation towards building sustainable career pathways within a skills-intensive industry.

The inaugural intake in 2019 welcomed seven graduates, laying the foundation for a structured, experience-led approach to graduate development. This early commitment was reinforced in 2021 with an intake of 16 graduates, followed by 11 graduates each in 2022 and 2023, as the programme continued to mature and align more closely with operational needs.

Momentum accelerated in 2024 with 14 graduates, before a significant scale-up in 2025, when 27 graduates joined the programme, the largest intake to date. This expansion was not incidental. It reflected Enza Construction’s response to increasing project demand, evolving skills requirements and the need to future-proof leadership and technical expertise across the business, while remaining mindful of broader economic realities.

“At Enza Construction, we’ve always believed that sustainable growth is built on people,” says Clinton Crowie, Chief Executive Officer of Enza Construction. “The Graduate Development Programme is about more than creating entry points into the business. It’s about developing capability, embedding our standards and ensuring that the next generation of professionals is equipped to lead, innovate and deliver long-term value for our clients and the industry.”

Looking ahead, the 2026 intake of 20 graduates represents a calibrated continuation of this strategy. Rather than growth for its own sake, the programme remains focused on quality, exposure and long-term value, ensuring each graduate is meaningfully integrated into the organisation and positioned for long-term progression.

In an industry often challenged by skills shortages and retention, Enza Construction’s Graduate Development Programme stands out not for its scale alone, but for its consistency, quietly shaping the next generation of professionals who will drive the company’s future performance while contributing meaningfully to South Africa’s employment landscape.