In an ongoing effort by the North-West University (NWU) to improve graduate employability, the Career Centre recently hosted a career fair at the Tsebonokeng Hall on the Vanderbijlpark Campus, fostering a strong connection between students and potential employers.

Accounting students on the Vanderbijlpark Campus seized the opportunity to engage with representatives from 13 high-flying organisations, including BKD Auditors, SAICA, SARS, Standard Bank, Nexia SAB&T and Nwanda Incorporated. This strategic engagement served as a stepping stone in preparing the students for the professional landscape by bringing leaders together under one roof. Throughout the fair, representatives from the respective organisations outlined their graduate programmes and identified paths for NWU students to access these career-launching possibilities.

Jan-Hendrick Delport, a partner at BKD Auditors, highlighted their participation in the fair, saying, “We are actively scouting for talented individuals who are interested in our graduate programme after having completed their studies in financial or chartered accountancy.”

He added: “Our three-year training contract offers comprehensive professional development. Once students have demonstrated the necessary competencies and passed their professional examinations, we can accredit them as qualified chartered accountants and assist with their transition into the industry.”

Delport further stated that BKD Auditors is dedicated to giving students quality learning opportunities while they contribute to the firm’s success, resulting in a mutually beneficial relationship that encourages professional progress.

Partnerships to promote excellence

The career fair featured an insightful collaborative interaction between organisational representatives and NWU delegates, focusing on feedback and strategic proposals to boost graduate employability. This session explored how stakeholders may contribute to empower students with the confidence and knowledge required to navigate the competitive job market while learning about the hiring processes.

Prof Linda du Plessis, deputy vice-chancellor for Teaching and Learning, presented a comprehensive overview of the NWU graduate programme and emphasised that the institution should shift its focus to “preparing students not just for a job, but for a career”.

Thoriso Maseng, senior manager at the NWU Career Centre, advocated for improved university-industry collaboration. “Your organisations may help us mould graduates who not only join the

Professor Linda du Plessis advocates for transformative industry collaborations and leading programmes that provide NWU graduates with the professional skills they need to thrive in today's workplaces and uphold the university's reputation for excellence.

Nexia SAB&T actively engaging with NWU students in a way that represents the organisation's core values of community service and professional growth.

            Thoriso Maseng, senior manager at the NWU Career Centre, leads an engaging interaction with representatives at the Big Lapa in order to promote academic preparation and career goals.

 

The Accounting Career Fair was a success, with students actively participating in networking opportunities that could influence their careers in the financial sector.