Staff Reporter
Windhoek
Bank Windhoek’s People Development department engaged the University of Namibia’s (Unam)’s final year students majoring in finance and accounting at a two-day career development workshop at Unam’s main campus in Windhoek last week.
The two-day career development workshop, organised by Unam’s Department of Economic and Management Sciences, informed the students about career options and how to be prepare for the corporate world. ‘Preparing for Life after University’ was the workshop theme.
Benster Ntesa from the bank’s human resources department spoke to students about career and employment opportunities within the bank.
“Students discovered strategies for targeting the job market, writing strong resumés and covering letters and interviewing skills. The workshop encouraged them to be vigilant and be aware of current affairs within Namibia, South Africa and the world. They also had an opportunity to network with the graduate recruiters, such as Bank Windhoek,” says Lazarus Shinkeva, a lecturer in the department.
“There is no one magic solution that will prepare students today for tomorrow’s workforce, but giving them a “push” in the right direction can help. Thank you Bank Windhoek for collaborating with us,” Shinkeva concludes.
Elten Cloete, Bank Windhoek’s manager for leadership development, spoke about how the corporate world operates.
“At university, you often answer to one person – your professor. At work, your superior has to report to someone above them within the structures of the company and same applies to everyone else within the company. Sometimes you are part of an organisation with owners and multiple shareholders.
“They all have a say in how quickly you are able to succeed. Transitioning to the “real world” might be difficult, but developing your communication skills, honing your time management abilities and finding mentors, can make it a
whole lot easier,” says Cloete.
“Any student can apply for Bank Windhoek’s Graduate Development Programme (GDP) and the Candidate Bankers Training Programme (CBT). They are free of charge and form part of Bank Windhoek’s social development and empowerment programmes. Applications can be collected and delivered at any Bank Windhoek branch or agency,” Ntesa noted.
The workshop was held for the first time this year and will in future become an annual event.