Opportunity Issue 88 - Sept-Oct 2018

The crucial role
of mentorship
PPS encourages graduate professionals to
mentor the new generation of professionals
PROFILE
The PPS Foundation, set up by the Professional Provident
Society (PPS) believes that members of the society
and all established graduate professionals have a vital
role to play in stimulating the vitality of the new generation
of professionals. Through its PPS Professionals Connect
Mentorship Programme, the PPS Foundation enables South
Africa’s professionals to contribute towards bringing the
potential of young people to fruition.
The PPS Professionals Connect Mentorship Programme
Launched last year, the programme provides students, professional
graduates, and entry-level employees with the
opportunity to connect with and be mentored by established or
retired professionals from various trades and industries. The
programme allows mentors to share their knowledge, skills
and life-learnings that will be essential for their future, while
also exposing them to a broader range of perspectives needed
to bolster their professional and personal growth.
The programme aims to propel the organisation’s mission
to make a sustainable and measurable contribution to South
African communities. This will be achieved by creating a platform
that assists beneficiaries during the transition period
from tertiary education to the workplace environment, and
beyond.
“The importance of the role of mentors cannot be stressed
enough. As a young graduate in the corporate world, it can
feel like you’re alone, and this makes mentors more important
than ever,” says Vuyo Kobokoane, the Executive Head:
PPS Foundation.
“At PPS, we believe that mentorship is one of the most
personalised ways to educate, and that mentorship is the
gateway for young professionals to unlock their potential and
to understand the workplace, as this will prepare them for the
future,” she adds.
Why mentorship is critical
It’s no secret that educated, knowledgeable and well-trained
employees are better able to confidently produce results than
employees who lack the knowledge. Therefore, by encouraging
mentorship in the workplace, it ensures that young professionals
are able to complete their work with the understanding
required for the position.
“It’s important that established professionals take up the
challenge of being mentors to young professionals to help in
the development of young leaders. This will, in turn, encourage
them to become mentors themselves when the time comes,”
adds Kobokoane.
“With the high unemployment rate among the youth at 53.7%
in the second-quarter of 2018 and the graduate unemployment
rate at 33.5% for those aged between 15–24, and 10.2% among
those aged 25–34 years, mentorship can make a tangible difference
in getting the CV right, setting goals, preparing for job
interviews and landing the position,” she explains.
Through the PPS Foundation, mentees are paired with
professionals from various industries and trades including;
science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)
related fields—which are the key areas that the PPS Foundation
strives to improve access to and participation in.
Mentorship can also help to fast-track the transfer of skills,
meaning that businesses will have productive employees
quicker than before. “However, it is important that young professionals
understand that mentorship is a partnership with
mutual trust, respect and understanding. It’s imperative that
you and your mentor understand each other and can be honest
with each other. It will be easier to gain knowledge and advice
from someone who has been through the same journey,” concludes
Kobokoane.
How to get involved
The Professionals Connect Mentorship Programme is one of
the corporate social responsibility initiatives at PPS.
To become a mentor, interested individuals can register via
www.professionalsconnect.co.za. For more information on the
Professionals Connect Mentorship Programme, email professionalsconnect@pps.co.za.
Visit www.pps.co.za for more information.
PPS is an authorised financial services provider.
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