South African defence company Saab Grintek Defence (Saab Grintek), a subsidiary of Sweden’s Saab group, has partnered with the Sisekelo Institute of Business and Technology (Sisekelo) to implement a programme to fast-track the development of graduates through actual workplace experience. Known as the 2022 Graduate Workplace Acceleration Programme, it is the first such initiative undertaken by Saab Grintek.

The programme will provide six-month internships to 15 graduates. During this time, they will be immersed into the company’s work environment, providing them with on-the-job experience, showing them different job functions and fitting them for future employment. During the programme, the graduate interns will be mentored by, and learn from, company employees and managers.

“We’ve noticed a considerable disconnect between graduates and their work environment expectations,” noted Saab Grintek transformation manager Ellen Rakobo. “That’s why we have introduced this Workplace Acceleration Programme, to allow us to bridge that gap for young South Africans who have just left school and are now entering the workplace. Most importantly, the programme helps these graduates connect to a mentor who will help guide their career journey and find their place in the Saab organisation.”

“Youth unemployment is a devastating reality for so many of our graduates, not just in South Africa, but Africa as a whole,” highlighted Sisekelo CEO Sabelo Myeni. “Where does that leave the future of our country and even our continent if most of them continue to be unemployed? We hope to address that by partnering with organisations like Saab and giving young graduates in the country an opportunity to overcome these challenges by gaining the skills they need to succeed in current and future work environments. In addition, we want young graduates to gain the confidence and skills to be curious and disrupt the industry through this initiative.”

Part of the Saab Grintek programme will be on helping address the country’s widening gap in digital skills. The graduate interns will be trained in the skills necessary to operate in the new world of hybrid and remote working situations. This will assist them to access new opportunities and create sustainable futures for themselves.

The company states that this programme is intended to be only the first of many such initiatives. One such programme will be focused on helping young women graduates to find jobs and develop careers in industries which have hitherto been dominated by men.