By Zandile Nkosi
The North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resource Management (IPS & HRM) recently hosted a work readiness workshop at the Vanderbijlpark Campus with great success.
Dr Thapelo Chaacha, programme leader for the Human Resource Management programme, says the event aimed to give third-year and honours’ students an idea of what is expected of them in the world of work within the human resources field.
Taeli Molotsi, human resources manager at Nedbank, said that human resources metrics and people analytics were the new gold in human resources. He encouraged students to read up more on agile methodology culture, as human resources require data to influence decisions. He also encouraged the school to look into integrating human resources metrics in the curriculum.
Other guests included Khauhelo Ngubeni, NWU alumnus and human resource consultant at Sasol, Dr Neil Barnard, alumnus, part-time lecturer and consultant at BlueMotion Consulting, Lesego L Gwebu from Nedbank, Telisha Van der Merwe from Flink, Bonolo Mophtuing from Anglo American, Janica Jansen van Rensburg from LabourNet, Marichen Viviers from Absa, Frans Kutumela from Santam Insurance, and Werner Saayman from the Acumen Group.
"The speakers shared what the trends are in their fields, what graduates can expect when they start working, how to navigate the working environment, and most importantly, how to become an employable graduate," said Dr Chaacha.
This event followed the work readiness workshop held at the NWU’s Potchefstroom Campus earlier this year. Hosted by Debbie Mtshelwane, Human Resource Management programme leader in the School of IPS & HRM, industry guests shared employer expectations with third-year, honours’ and master’s students.
Debbie says both events were a success.
"The students appreciated the opportunity and engaged in lively conversations with the speakers. Two of the speakers will also mentor some of the honours’ students in the school’s honours mentorship programme," she adds.
