Why should I do this programme?

Employers expect graduates to be ready to run with their new jobs while graduates expect employers to show them the ropes – this leads to an expectation gap which can clearly create work stress and tension.

It is essential that graduates are prepared to enter the workplace, possessing key employability skills which will enable them to compete in today’s job market.

A big challenge raised by Employers is the lack of “soft skills” many young employees have when starting at their companies. These soft skills include attributes such as communication, writing, business etiquette, presentation skills, IT knowledge, self-management and conflict management skills.

Workplace Readiness Programmes (WRPs) have been recognized as an important intervention for combating youth unemployment in South Africa.

“Demand-driven WRP interventions are critical in addressing the unemployed youth statistic prevailing in the country (statistic prior to National Census results 23%). WRP offering(s) are aligned to the National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS III) Objective of ‘promoting and accelerating quality training for all in the workplace.”

Skills lacking in today's graduates cost South African businesses dearly as there is frustration experienced by both the business as well as by the new employee. The person finds it difficult to fit into the work environment and thus is unable to perform in their new role.

Employers tend to expect graduates to be ready to run with their new jobs while graduates expect employers to show them the ropes which leads to an expectations gap which can clearly create work stress and tension.

There is a significant need in South Africa to enhance the performance of an organisation and individuals by focusing on the integration of work seekers into organisations. There is a need to reduce the gap which often exists between employers’ expectations of the skills and knowledge of employees entering the workplace and the actual levels of awareness of business and commercial processes that new work seekers have actually gained.

Programme information

This program focuses on developing the skills needed to be successful in the workplace. One of the greatest challenges for graduates is to acquire employability skills, over and above their academic and technical skills, which are needed in the workplace.

Providing Work Readiness Programmes results in increased performance levels and retention rates of new employees.

This Work Readiness Programme has been developed to assist participants to enhance key skills for the work environment with the aim of supporting them in their own career development. This allows participants to gain precise skills and knowledge to perform and teaches valuable skills that will assist participants in not only feeling empowered but more confident in what they do as well. The Work Readiness Programme includes bite-sized microlearning to allow the participants to still fulfil their daily learnership duties and progress in their formal training while improving their readiness for workplace responsibilities.

The Work Readiness Programme will support the optimal transition of new employees into the organisation, to ensure that the levels of energy and enthusiasm remain high and productive as employees progress into their respective roles. Participants attending the programme are better prepared to be productive at work and have an improved sense of what is expected. Appropriate dress, improved communication, understanding of policies, procedures and the values and ethics of the organisation are examples of the outcomes delivered.

• The Work Readiness programme consists of 11 short courses. 
• The short courses can be completed in no particular order.
• There is no time limit to complete these courses. The site will be active for as long as you are a registered student of the NWU.

After successful completion of each course you will receive an NWU certificate for the particular course. You will receive an NWU certificate for the Work Readiness Programme for the successful completion of all 11 short courses.

Short courses in this programme:

1. Commercial awareness
2. Business communication
3. Negotiation and persuasion
4. Presentation skills
5. Teamwork, collaboration and cooperation
6. Critical thinking and problem solving
7. Time and stress management
8. Self-efficacy and goal setting
9. Ethical leadership
10. Personal finance management
11. Emotional intelligence