Eris' highly successful graduate programme bridges gap between university and work
For many current university graduates, the expectation is that jobs are easy to get. The harsh reality, however, is quite different. This is where Eris Property Group's Graduate Programme comes in - and why it has been such a success to date with young talent in the property industry. It aims to bridge the gap between university and the working world, with benefits for both the graduates, the company and the industry as a whole.
Since its inception in 2008, more than 56 graduates have been through the programme. For all the graduates, the end goal is the same: to learn more about the property sector - and the corporate environment and how it works - and as a whole, expectations have been met, with a fair remuneration to top things off. The internship is done on a rotational basis and exposes graduates to every facet of the property business over a one-year period - something that sets it apart from other programmes on the market. It gives graduates an opportunity to demonstrate their talent and showcase themselves as prospective employees. It also allows mentors and heads of divisions within EPG to work out where a graduate's true passion lies and identify if the person is a good fit for the team. From there, the graduate might become a permanent Eris employee or be offered a fixed-term contract, but some of the graduates decide to study further within a specific property niche. And the current (and past) graduates have only good things to say about the programme.
"Prior to joining the programme, I was uncertain about which field of property I wanted to pursue. My aim was to gain exposure and insight into what spheres of work the different fields of property get involved in ― and to gain a better, more practical understanding of the industry as a whole," says Napo Lekoro. Continues Nokwanda Hadebe: "Coming into the programme, I had minimal knowledge with regards to the property industry. By rotating through the different departments, I have managed to figure out the direction I want my career to take. Furthermore, with my background being mostly in quantity surveying, the programme enabled me to be exposed to the pre-construction and post-construction processes involved in a project in real-time."
For Sello Chauke, the programme helped him with the hands-on skills needed on a daily basis in the property industry and the transition from student to professional. "Coming from a construction background, I had very limited knowledge about the property sector, but the programme has been a very good platform that allowed me to re-invent myself and have a clear vision on my career path in the property sphere," he says. "It also helped immensely with the transition from a student to a somewhat professional. It almost feels like a three year degree made in one year, based on the huge amount of property technical expertise I have managed to learn and practise until now," he adds.
At the forefront of the programme is both learning and teamwork. "I enjoy learning and the Eris Graduate Programme has enhanced that for me. Being part of this programme has given me the opportunity to learn and improve on what I knew Real Estate to be from university; this includes the ability to research, analyse and provide real estate solutions. The best thing was being part of a team that drives business success and personal growth too," says Lungile Ngubeni.
Despite only being part of the current programme for nine months, graduates have managed to achieve major milestones during this time. Current graduate, Langelihle Mthethwa, reiterates that teamwork was the invaluable component that contributed towards the Units on Park student accommodation being 100% fully let. "For me, fully letting the building was one of my biggest highlights this year, as we had put in a lot of effort and hard work for its success." He was in a team that was involved in a project with two intensive parts to it. Firstly, the team worked hands-on with students to understand their needs and expectations of the EPG services offered in the building. And secondly, they had to understand the complex financial aspect of the property being fully let ― and its contribution towards the outermost performance of the asset, as it serves as a blueprint for the whole South African Student Accommodation Impact Investments (SASAII) fund (current and future developments). He adds: "I am proud that I was one of the team members who played a role in that."
Besides, the milestones for students, the benefits for EPG are noteworthy too. First and foremost, the programme offers a structure where young, talented people with fresh ideas and a growing skillset are rotated across all departments in the business. Long-term, it means that there is a new pool of candidates to choose from to expand onto possible permanent employment within the company. For the students, the skills learnt are invaluable for the property industry. During the programme, students get an extensive amount of skills training, including professional skills, leadership, ethics, time management ― plus practical tools such as how to conduct a meeting, presentation skills, taking minutes and more.
Current graduate, Napo Lekoro had big expectations for the programme and wasn't disappointed. "My expectations have definitely been met and were even exceeded. I sometimes find it amazing how I've gained so much knowledge from the different departments within such a short space of time," he says. "I think this graduate programme is definitely a great starting point for someone entering into the industry, as it gives you a good foundation and shows you how the different fields of property tie in together. This will be advantageous in any position you end up working in and it's a perspective that some will never get a chance to experience," he adds.
But besides the invaluable industry-specific business skills that graduates learn, the programme often has an ever-lasting impact on their personal lives too. Concludes Damian Koopman: "The Eris Graduate Programme fostered an environment where I received support and reinforcement from my colleagues. This inspired me to conquer my impostor syndrome, which I believe was limiting my success in life. My graduate programme experience has cemented the statement that has led me to this point in my life: 'Opportunities don't happen; you create them'".
Intake for the 2023 Eris Graduate Programme is currently underway at various universities.
For the requirements needed to apply for this programme, please visit our social pages.
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