CIDA students want internships

Employers need cover only the cost of transport and meals, estimated at around R150 a week, and any additional remuneration is at the discretion of the employer. There is no obligation to take on students once the internship is complete.

All students have already attended workplace readiness training. These training programmes have especially been chosen to assist these young adults, who have had very little exposure to the workplace until now.

As part of its corporate social responsibility, Alchemy, a human resource development company, will be assisting CIDA in this project by utilising its expertise.

Karina Reid, director of Alchemy, says: "We intend to improve the experience of both the intern and employer by using a specially developed diagnostic tool which identifies areas for improvement and targeted coaching and mentoring.

"We understand the pressure that organisations are under to acquire and develop affirmative action staff. Companies can try out students and find the ones they really want and reduce the risk associated with taking on a new staff member who does not have the necessary skills, aptitude or culture fit."

Taddy Blecher, chief executive of CIDA City Campus, comments: "This is the third year of our internship programme. Many employers have commented on the exceptional attitude of these students and their tremendous willingness to assist and learn."

CIDA City Campus is South Africa's first virtually free tertiary institution. All students are from financially disadvantaged backgrounds and have tremendous potential but not the financial means for tertiary education.

For further information about these internships please contact Karina Reid or Anthony Solomon on +27-11-327-2474 or email