EPG's Graduate Programme provides tangible work opportunities & helps to mitigate youth unemployment
South Africa faces one of the highest unemployment rates in the world. With Youth Day later this month on 16 June 2024, this Youth Month, the work that our Graduate Programme does is more important than ever - helping graduates gain valuable on-the-job training and experience before they start their careers. Essentially, the company is building up and providing much-needed work opportunities for the youth, amid a dire unemployment rate.
The Eris Graduate Programme was started in 2010 and it has been a consistent success since then. Each year, Eris selects seven graduates from various universities to join its 12-month programme. These graduates are then placed in the different divisions within the company, providing them with exposure to all facets of the property industry. This also allows them to explore their interests and be better equipped to make an informed decision about which area they want to specialise in.
Our CEO, Barend de Loor, emphasises the importance of the programme: "Our Graduate Programme now in its 14th year of continued success, aims to bridge the gap between the academic world of a university and the working world by offering graduates a pathway to permanent employment. It also aims to provide our graduates with the necessary skills, industry-specific knowledge, and training aligned with their qualifications. Additionally, our Graduate Programme is committed to providing equal opportunities by hiring individuals from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. By investing in young talent, we have the opportunity to nurture and further develop this talent, which ultimately yields a return on investment for the company."
Sandy Malomane, Human Capital Business Partner at Eris, echoes these sentiments. "Hiring fresh graduates allows us to bring new perspectives and innovative ideas into the business - and recruiting individuals from different universities and backgrounds promotes diversity and inclusion in the industry," she says.
The impact of the Eris Graduate Programme, amid the current unemployment in the country, cannot be emphasised enough, as a current graduate, Lesego Matlhaku, presently working in the Investments Department, explains: "This opportunity is extremely vital for young people in South Africa. It was recently reported that youth unemployment is sitting at 45.5% in South Africa, a staggering figure. As more young people are allowed to gain meaningful experience in the job market, the unemployment figures will be reduced and those with the experience will fare much better in the job market," he says.
For fellow current graduate, Selaelo Queen Mabitsela, presently working in the Developments Division, there were many drawcards. "Initially, I wanted to be part of Eris' Graduate Programme because of the company's reowned reputation in the industry. The programme's emphasis on mentorship,career development, and networking also appealed to me as it promised strong foundation for my professional growth and future career aspirations," she explains.
Fellow current graduate, Thato Mabotha, who is working in the Property Valuations department, says that "the learning never stops" in the Eris Graduate Programme. He continues: "The one-on-one catch-up sessions with my managers as well as the collaborative sessions I have had with other members of the teams have helped me gather some insights on what it takes to thrive in this industry and to also identify areas of improvement."
The highlights of the programme have been different for all the current graduates. "Getting to move departments every eight weeks is exciting," says current graduate, Precious Fankomo, who is presently working in the Asset Management department. She believes that the programme offers 12 months to unlock potential. There's always "a new set of skills to learn or to sharpen. Discovering how the departments are intertwined and work together to operate this giant industry is amazing," she adds.
But it has had an equal impact on graduates who have completed the programme. For Hired Graduate and Investment Associate, Kimera Watkins, who works in the Investments and Fund Management department, she truly sees in the benefits of the programme. "It allows the interns to gain an understanding first, to sit in meetings where significant decisions are made and to be able to make mistakes. These days, Kimera's work mainly involves the South African Student Accommodation Impact Investment (SASAII) ― a new endeavour, but an important focus area for the company, as demand for student accommodation is also increasingly high. "As student accommodation is a rapidly growing industry in the country with many moving parts, my focus is on the 'Impact' part of the fund and on the Environmental and Social Governance (ESG) work that is implemented and required by our investors," she adds.
For hired graduate, Ukho Ntabeni, who works in Operations support in the Property Management department, thinks that working on two projects [the establishment of a student accommodation portfolio and the implementation of Environmental and Social Governance (ESG) initiatives within the company] have contributed to his professional growth. "As these projects are evolving, I have had the opportunity to be at the forefront and learn as much as I can. I believe these projects are setting a base for me and I am excited to learn more and become a leader within the space."
Asset Manager ― and hired graduate ― Shuaib Kola, believes that being a part of the Eris Graduate Programme 12 years ago still has a positive impact on his career even today. "Witnessing and influencing the transformation of physical spaces and communities is the most rewarding and exciting aspect of working in the property industry." He concludes: "The combination of relationship building, visible impact, economic influence and problem-solving makes working in the property industry exceptionally exciting."
Criteria for EPG's Graduate Programme
All potential candidates must have any one of the degrees mentioned below:
- BSc Property Studies (Honours)
- BSc in Quantity Surveying (Honours)
- BSc Construction Management (Honours)
- BCom Honours in Property Valuation & Management
- B-Tech in Facilities Management
- BCom Finance
Intake for the 2025 Eris Graduate Programme will be underway at various universities later in the year.
Want to join Eris? Take the lead by uploading your CV on our careers website link.
Follow us and find more information here:
Eris Property Group: https://www.eris.co.za/
Careers Website Link: https://www.eris.co.za/careers/
