The paradox of job and skill shortages in South Africa is perhaps nowhere more apparent than in the information and communication technology industry. However, one of South Africa’s largest employers in this field has taken a bold approach to ensuring that its human resources needs are met. Business Connexion’s Services division invited top students from four Gauteng universities to come and see for themselves what a career in this line of work can offer.
According to Vanessa Olver, deputy CEO and Group executive: Services at the company, it is people who give Business Connexion its competitive edge. “Our key value proposition is described by our Connective Intelligence slogan. This describes how we combine world class technologies and products with the acumen, experience and ability of our over 5500 employees,” she says.
However, she confirms that the company is constantly on the lookout for new talent, especially those individuals who can add to its quest for innovation and the development of new intellectual property. “That’s the key behind the Services Division’s Building Key TALENT programme, where TALENT stands for Technology Awakened Leaders Entrepreneurial New Thinkers. It is a ‘feeder’ which brings a career in ICT services to the attention of top Computer Science and BComm Informatics students from universities around Gauteng.”
Olver says the event, which took place on Business Connexion’s Midrand campus on 2 November, received over 150 students who spent the day with representatives of the company. “The aim is to provide an opportunity for students to gain insight into the operation of the Services business. That included a view into our Professional Services, Service Integration, Workspace, Cloud Infrastructure Services, Corporate Information Services and Industry Specific Client Engagement competencies.”
That’s not all – those students who liked what they saw applied for positions within the company’s internship programme. “Attracting the right people is a critical part of our ability to deliver on the complex technological requirements of our clients. At the same time, we strive to be an employer of choice, where interns have the opportunity to grow into a rewarding career in what is surely one of the most exciting and fast-changing industries of all,” Olver notes.
She says the response from students was overwhelmingly positive, with many applying for the internship positions and all appreciating a peek into the inner workings of a major technology services provider.
“While this is of considerable value to the students, there is a reciprocal value for Business Connexion as we demonstrated our passion and capability as the leading South African ICT Services Integrator to prospective new talent. Further, we believe the quality of the employment we provide is also reflected in the quality of the people we attract. The employees who will take our company to new heights in the near future may be among the students that visited us yesterday on 2nd November,” she concludes.
