Twenty seven previously disadvantaged (PDI) South African students graduated today, by means of a virtual graduation ceremony, following the completion of the Oracle Graduate Leadership Programme for 2019. Now in its sixth year, the programme focuses on equipping PDI students with specialised IT and leadership skills that prepare them for a career in the IT industry.
“With the highest youth unemployment rate in the world, paired with worrying skills shortages, we believe corporate South Africa has a responsibility to aid the development of practical, technical and specialised skills development in the country. The Oracle Graduate Leadership Programme aims to assist in addressing the skills gap in the ICT industry, while also creating employment opportunities for South Africa’s youth,” says Niral Patel, Managing Director and Technology Leader for Oracle South Africa
The Oracle Graduate Leadership Programme is a one-year course, developed in cohesion with our partners and select customers, offering a blended learning approach, combining classroom training with e-learning and structured on-the-job training. Oracle South Africa sponsors the full cost of training for all programme participants.
Interns reflect on their journey
“My journey at Oracle has been an amazing one. Through this internship I have grown in leaps and bounds; I have learnt the communication, networking and personal skills required to actively participate in this corporate world. It has been inspiring to be a part of such a huge company and work beside great people,” Phyllicia Mari, Graduating intern.
“Being part of the Oracle family has been nothing but a joy ride. Personally I have learnt what being independent, proactive and being part of a big family means. This experience has done so much for my career, as well as for my personal development. In the past year I have grown immensely and if I could go back and choose a company to grow in I would definitely choose Oracle again. I have learnt all sorts of soft skills (e.g. communication, time management and work etiquette). Opportunities presented by Oracle are endless and it really depends on an individual whether to take them or not, but I know for sure that as a former Oracle intern who is certified in Oracle products, I am bound to be successful,” Tsholofelo Legodi, Graduating intern.
“The Oracle internship allowed me to gain confidence in my personal and professional skills. Due to the internship, I am able to start my career with confidence in myself and my abilities,” Nozinhle Sibanyoni, Graduating intern.
“Each interaction and experience taught me something that I will carry in my soul, to open up to the many possibilities that this world had to offer and to continuously learn and unlearn as my journey progressed,” Lynette Biyela, Graduating intern.
“In Oracle, I found myself a second home with great colleagues who are willing to help me grow in every way. Oracle gave me a chance to grow my career in the IT space, today I hold to myself two Oracle certification and two other certificates I acquired during my period with Oracle,” Katekani Mgiba, Graduating intern.
The programme has successfully delivered 133 graduates since inception in 2014, with many of them securing permanent employment with Oracle partner companies and other organisations. The graduate intake for the 2020 programme kicked off earlier this year with 60 students ready to start their journey with Oracle.
