123 benefit from IFSC Skills Initiative

BABOKI KAYAWE
Staff Writer | Friday August 12, 2011 00:00

In total, 3,045 graduates have participated in the career fair, which is a component of the initiative since last year. IFSC public relations officer, Boga Chilinde said the IFSC is pleased with the number of companies and graduates that have benefited from the skills readiness initiative.

She said that they continuously seek to improve the initiative to make it relevant and beneficial to aspirant Batswana and organisations.

'The practical experience gained by the interns develops them professionally and assists them in getting recognition from other employers,' Chilinde said.

Chilinde said the skills readiness initiative is guided by a Committee of Advisors which comprises representatives from the UB Career Guidance and Counselling, Ministry of Education and Skills Development, Human Resources Consultants, the Department of Youth and Botswana IFSC.

'Through this committee we have facilitated the introduction of a government sponsored; Edexcel UK accredited Contact Centre Course offered through Botswana Accountancy College,' she said.

This years' event billed for September targets about 1,000 participants and 50 companies compared to the 40 that participated last year.  

 The Internship Programme is geared towards matching young Botswana graduates with the requirements of companies and to grant them an opportunity to acquire practical work experience.

Chilinde said under the online job portal they currently have 8,400 curriculum vitaes of graduates and professionals who can take advantage of valuable career guidance information and learn job searching skills in the forum.  The initiative comprises of three components; Annual Career fair, the Internship Programme, and the Online Job Portal.