Coega internship programmes going strong

For the past 15 years, the Coega Development Corporation’s (Coega) Flagship Internship Programme has propelled hundreds of young people to achieve success. This year, 14 graduate interns were offered permanent employment opportunities in various Coega Business Units.

The primary objective of the Coega Internship Programme is to empower emerging professionals, equipping them with essential skills and exposure to help improve their employability. For the current financial year 2023/2024, the Programme has offered internship opportunities to over 110 young people as interns across its business units. Recently, recruitment drives for six additional internship opportunities have commenced, including Marketing and Communications, Business Development, Operations, and Internal Audit.

Ms. Azia Nxumalo, Unit Head of the Coega Development Corporation Human Resources said: “The Coega Internship Programme stands as a beacon of hope for aspiring young individuals. It serves as a guiding light, illuminating the path to professional growth and development, offering a nurturing environment where talents are honed, skills are sharpened, and futures are shaped.

While the Programme cannot guarantee permanent employment for all, it is an opportunity to refine and prove capabilities and make your mark in a corporate environment. Through this Programme, we are not only investing in the future of these aspiring professionals but enriching Coega with fresh perspectives, and a diverse pool of talent.”

Owing to its diverse business strategy, Coega offers exposure to a wide range of career fields, including hospitality, marketing, finance, information technology, and infrastructure project management, amongst others.

One of the recent interns who had been offered a permanent position, Zikhona Mgolombane, Coega Technical Administrator, who recommends the Programme to ambitious graduates: “Coega’s Internship Programme provides people with a rare and invaluable opportunity. This transformative journey has taught me that determination, dedication and perseverance are the keys to unlocking one’s true potential and realising one’s most cherished dreams.”

The growth of the Programme has contributed positively to skills development for talented, unemployed graduates, improving their chances of securing gainful employment in the competitive labour market.

Masixole Gwentshu, a Business Development Intern expressed his gratitude for being offered this opportunity: “I am filled with gratitude and happiness, and I am grateful to Coega for not only providing me with this opportunity but also for believing in my potential. I am excited for the future, and I look forward to continuing to contribute my best to this Internship Programme.”

Coega remains committed to nurturing the lives of young people and has significantly expanded its footprint, benefitting the province’s youth and shaping its workforce through the organisation’s expanding footprint.