Internships power strong, sustainable workforces
The need to create technology skills amongst young South Africans drives Intel South Africa to facilitate internship programmes - both in sales and marketing roles, as well as in technical - to develop skilled employees not only for itself but for the whole ICT industry in South Africa.
In 2009, the company introduced an internship programme to jumpstart the careers of young South Africans both in sales and marketing roles, as well as in technical roles.
Country manager for South Africa, Videsha Proothveerajh, believes the secret to cultivating young, successful and innovative leaders in the highly competitive South African technology industry is in the creation of a sustainable cycle of consistent mentoring.
"Giving the youth the chance to add the title 'up-and-coming leader' to their portfolio is the cornerstone to growing and developing any organisation's leadership structures. In essence, a wheel of empowerment is created. Great businesses need great people whose energy and ideas inspire the next wave of visionary leaders - especially at senior levels."
Internships provide the perfect vehicle for establishing a platform of self-belief through experience. The only way young people can truly believe in themselves is if they are empowered in such a way to garner experience in their chosen field of study. Proothveerajh says their interns are encouraged to think outside the box constantly, to stay ahead in the always changing world of technological innovation.
21 year old Meruska Moodley, the intern for marketing and PR says, "In my six months, I have not only learned to understand the marketing and PR in the ICT industry but have also come to understand my strengths and development areas. My mentors have guided me and I now realise that university has equipped me with knowledge and here I have been given a platform to develop the skills and discover my own self-belief in what I can achieve. I feel I can only grow further from here."
"Great leaders grow other leaders," adds Proothveerajh. "At the end of the day, one leader alone simply won't do the trick ¬- you've got to have what is known as 'leadership bench strength'. As one of the recognised best companies to work for, our mentors have unrestricted access to inspire and drive their people in the way they think best to power a new generation of leaders."
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