Construction Company Helps Young Graduates Get Practical Work Skills

South Africa has a big problem with young people who cannot find jobs. One reason is that many graduates have good qualifications but lack practical skills. The government wants companies to help fix this.

What is the program?

A construction company called TEFLA Group started a 12-month internship for 20 young graduates. They work with the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA). Interns learn by working on real projects with experienced professionals.

Why is this important?

The company’s HR manager, Kayela Shibambu, says: 'Many graduates know the theory but have little workplace experience. This program gives them hands-on practice, mentorship, and exposure to real projects.'

Interns agree. Thabang Mphamo, a quantity surveyor, says: 'I wanted practical experience. In class you learn concepts, but on the job you have to apply them with deadlines and budgets. This internship helps me build skills for my CV.'

Another intern, Kgotso Noyane, adds: 'Practical experience is very important. It helps you understand what you learned at college and see how different parts of construction work together.'

What do they hope to achieve?

By the end of the program, interns want to learn skills like cost estimation, project management, and teamwork. They hope to become better professionals and help build South Africa’s infrastructure.

Shibambu says: 'South Africa’s youth have great potential. By giving them practical work experience, we help them succeed and build a stronger economy.'

This article was originally published on TimesLIVE.