Why up skilling Has Become Critical to Prepare Yourself for the Future A major disruption is being felt by the corporate sector since it is still not fully prepared to face such crisis
Besides rapidly reshaping society at multiple levels, the COVID-19 outbreak has been accelerating fundamental changes in the way we do business. Over the last few weeks, we have seen companies shift towards an increasingly sophisticated use of technology owing to the nationwide lockdowns in several countries, as a part of governments’ sweeping attempt to reduce person-to-person contact, implement social distancing, and contain the spread of the virus. Hence, with most of the companies having to work from home and people having to adjust to the new ways of working remotely, major disruption is being felt by the corporate sector, which is still not fully prepared to face such crisis. The situation is a clear example of how our world is changing quickly and will continue to do so in the future. Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are constantly on the rise, and a report by the World Economic Forum reveals that about five million occupations will cease to exist by 2030, as artificial intelligence and robotics replace human intervention. Furthermore, there is growing evidence of a sizeable skills mismatch in the MENA region, and nearly 40% of employers in the region indicate that skills gaps are a major impediment to business growth. According to Manpower Group’s 2019 Skills Revolution 4.0 report, the talent shortage is at a 12-year high, and new skills are appearing as quickly as old ones disappear. For the above reasons, upskilling today has become a major requisite, and there is a strong demand for professionals who can blend digital and
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills with traditional subject expertise, and combine deep knowledge of their industry with the latest analytical tools to quickly adapt to business strategies. In fact, 44% of employers believe employees will need significant training on new skills required to fulfil their current roles in the next ten years, as per the Global Employer survey by Pearson. In hindsight, new technologies, developments, and innovations have led to a rise in the demand for employees who can implement soft skills, think creatively, and provide data-driven evidence to companies for implementing measures to stay afloat during a crisis, and gain a competitive advantage during market peak. Here are some ways in which people can upskill themselves or their workforce to attain meaningful results:
1. Investing in online and blend-
ed professional courses Research shows that the biggest hurdle to upskilling is that it is increasingly difficult for working professionals to take time off from their careers and pursue full-time professional courses or formal
education. Luckily, with the emergence of online and blended learning, employers and employees can now bridge the skills gap with digital and virtual professional learning programs, which have actually seen an increase during the COVID-19 situation, with a majority of the younger population embracing the medium. There is a staggering variety of online training programs to choose from, and employees can choose to either learn more within their own disciplines, or find completely new skills to specialize in. Especially if an organization has more than one location, then online or blended learning courses are a great way to upskill the entire workforce and various learning and development programs such as Pearson Professional courses, Pearson Online English, etc. can prove to be an effective tool for organizations or individuals to upskill and reskill.
2. Identifying the right talent and
providing them with robust workplace training Corporate leaders understand that employee turnover is expensive. Various studies focusing on the cost of employee turnover stated that
the cost of one worker leaving an organization could be as much as $25,000, while the cost of interviewing, hiring, and training another is significantly high, and affects the corporate bottom line. Hence, identifying, hiring, and retaining the right talent is a critical need during the present times to avoid financial risk, increase productivity, improve employee morale, boost customer satisfaction, and prevent loss of business. Additionally, it is important for the organizations to reinforce the link between business outcomes and capability, and learning and development (L&D) teams need to work on transforming existing learning offerings, and push them to digital/online formats. Offering employees new online learning solutions to up skill/reskill, access practical mentoring, specialized trainings, and use potential idle time to cover those skills and development gaps is necessary, and companies need to switch to virtual learning experiences that allow
professionals to engage with one another.
3. Increased focus on soft skills
When asked about how jobs are changing, 81% people in the Middle East believe that workers will need to improve uniquely human skills like creative thinking, reasoning and collaboration, etc. to thrive in the new economy, as shown by the Pearson Global Learner Survey. The major gap exists across basic skills, such as creative and independent thinking, problem-solving skills, leadership qualities, collaboration, etc., which take much more time and effort to build, and do not lose their relevance even when the nature of a job evolves. The underlying message seems to be that even as machines start taking over the work sphere, at the end of the day, it is the people who need to use this technology to avail its advantages to the fullest. And hence, it is important to embrace those soft
skills that enable us to utilize our unique human talents, adapt to the evolving market, future-proof our careers, and build and develop areas that AI can’t do well. In an era of changing business priorities, changing nature of jobs, and innovations in technology, businesses can’t afford to put capability building on hold. Whether the effort is reskilling or upskilling at the business-unit level or a company-wide aspirational transformation, businesses need to continue critical workplace learning. Additionally, molding learning and work into what they need it to be in today’s world and equip themselves with the necessary skills is essential for individuals to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution era. https://www.entrepreneur.com/ article/350807
Artisans could Save South Africa from Recession It’s a double recession, they say. It sounds bad… and it is. Essentially a double recession means that while we were already in recession (maybe recovering, maybe stagnant) we’ve hit another snag and even our recession is in recession. Unemployment in South Africa is at its highest level in 15 years and, despite Covid-19 hitting
global economies hard, we’re still one of the worst. The buzz phrase has been “critical skills shortage”. When we hear it we think of nurses and doctors and medical staff, but what it really means is that we don’t have enough artisans. To meet the demand for scarce skills, South Africa would
need 60% of school leavers to enter artisan training. The artisanal trades are in demand both locally and internationally. Gone are the days when you needed a university education to move up in the world - the artisan is making a comeback in a big way. What is an artisan, you ask? Artisans are highly skilled and qualified people who primarily work with their hands – they are people who are in vocationally focused trades and occupations . That is, an artisan works in a technical field, doing skilled manual labour. Artisan skills currently needed to grow the South African economy include bricklaying, plumbing, boilermaking, carpentry, welding, and mechanical engineering. South African culture has developed to prize university education over skilled labour. This view, however lofty, is
neither realistic nor constructive considering our high unemployment rate and the massive demand for skilled labour. The missing link in the chain is the desire to train in the artisan trades, and, of course having access to such training. An investment in artisanal training could increase a person’s access to a higher income and make them very attractive to international markets. Being skilled in a trade also opens up opportunities for entrepreneurship in the future. While we wish we could rely on public funding to fill this gap, the onus is on the private sector to invest in training and apprenticeships, and work on the retention of skilled labour. Training Force offers a variety of courses geared towards the development of artisanal trades for both individuals and companies alike. Talk to us about upskilling in the artisanal trades.
IT’S A HACK Who knew that 2020 was going to be the year of the hacker? With everyone scurrying to hide behind their screens, the cyber criminals got typing en masse. Along with the steady incline in Covid-19 cases, we also witnessed the steady rise of cyber attacks. Taking care of your IT security has never been more important or more of a challenge. Working from home has afforded new opportunities for social engineering attacks on you or your workforce. These include; phishing, spear phishing, identity theft, baiting and tailgating attacks. If any of these terms were new to you, it’s time to refresh your cyber security skills. Perhaps the best (and we mean this is the most negative way) hack of 2020 so far has been on Twitter. The tech company had 130
high profile Twitter accounts hacked at the same time including those of Barak Obama, Elon Musk and Kim Kardashian. The scammer raised about R180 000 worth of Bitcoin through false donations before Twitter deleted the scam tweets. They had to block every blue tick user from tweeting until the security breach was found. How did they do it? Social engineering. While the headlines would have you believe that the Twitter scam was some sophisticated hack, it was simply a phone call to admin staff at the cyber giant’s HQ. The hacker managed to get the admin’s privilege account credentials and, in turn, got access to the backend of the Twitter system. The pandemic has definitely shifted our priorities and
expectations more than we could ever anticipate. One of the biggest shifts in thinking has been in the importance of cyber security infrastructure. Microsoft recently released new statistics showing high levels of security concerns and plans to add a significant budget to cyber security. The tech sphere is constantly changing, and as such, cyber security does too. The onus on organisations is to keep up with constantly evolving technology. Cyber Academy offers specialised courses designed from the perspective of the hacker. Our course changes as often
as the digital climate does, but we also understand that the biggest threat to your digital security is you. The individual is, despite sophisticated anti virus and cyber security software, your organization’s biggest threat. Understanding social engineering can help you to avoid becoming a statistic. We understand that your operational resilience relies on your cyber security. Contact us for more information.
The Cyber Academy educates everyone, of all IT skills levels, on how to protect themselves and the business from criminals.
www.thecyberacademy.co.za | info@thecyberacademy.co.za
Go for the Golden Years AGEING DOESN’T JUST HAPPEN TO ‘SOMEONE ELSE’ While we dream of living a long and healthy life, getting old and frail doesn’t usually fit into that dream. The reality is that unless something unexpected happens, that is what is waiting for us (to varying degrees) in our golden years. Another harsh reality is that only about 6% of South Africans have the means, both financially and physically speaking, to live out their golden years
unassisted. While the good news is that our elderly populations are growing, which means our life expectancy in South Africa is improving, the bad news is that we are under equipped to cater for the increasing number of aged persons. Frail care and elderly care is possibly one of the most under-estimated fields of the caring profession. While it poses many challenges to the
carer - both emotionally and professionally - it is one of the most rewarding fields of work in which a carer can practice. The role of a true carer is to continue to empower their elderly ward. The majority of older persons experience the sense of dis-empowerment, feeling isolated, discarded, and not useful to society. Through excellent care and engagement, a patient’s quality of life can improve dramatically. In the response to Covid-19, assisted living and frail care institutions have been obliged to put costly prevention measures in place across the board despite a chronic lack of funding. Persons above the age of 60 have been most affected by the pandemic and higher mortality rates have been reported globally. Large portions of the senior population are poor and in need of state support and
their pensions are often shared within households to supplement other social grant and wage income . The Older Person’s Act of 2006 exists to maintain and promote the rights, status, wellbeing, safety and security of older persons, however, the act and its regulations are poorly implemented. Frail care and old age home workers can make or break the experience of the elderly in assisted living and frail care institutions. Vulnerable elderly people can face insurmountable challenges such as failing health, memory loss, financial hardship, neglect and even abuse. A carer can act to prevent and report problems as they arise, thereby providing more than just physical assistance to the elderly. Providing carers with the appropriate skills and coping mechanisms could help evolve South Africa’s old age and frail care institutions and improve the experience of the carer. To transform your carers into elderly care specialists, contact us on info@allmedtraining.co.za
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POSSIBILITIES
Why Mathematics really does matter By: Karen Jacobsen Ask a group of your friends, and you’ll get a lot of negative So if you’re struggling with the decision between taking answers and hatred for mathematics or taking math mathematics. literacy listen up. Today we’re sharing… In fact, even if you talk to a few adults, I bet at least one of them will tell you 10 reasons why something like “I don’t know mathematics matters why I learnt Trigonometry at school; I’ve never had to use 1. mathematics helps develop it”. essential But here’s the thing you need to realize about mathematics. It really DOES matter. Why? Because not only does it teach you critical skills you’ll need to survive in the world but NOT doing pure mathematics can also put serious brakes on your earning potential once you enter the world of work.
We live in a mathematicallydriven world. Mathematics is all around you and knowing mathematics can help you understand the world better. Don’t believe me... Just look around you. You can’t go anywhere without running into some related to mathematics. Bees, for example, are masters of geometry. You only need to look at their beehives to see problem-solving skills: that. Or how about the fact Because you’re constantly dealing with tricky topics and that the Fibonacci sequence problems, mathematics helps (look it up if you’re not sure you develop better reasoning what this is) lies at the very heart of the designs of abilities than just about any other school subject you take. seashells, pinecones, Having good reasoning skills flowers, trees and more; while means you have the ability to Pi is found in the very fabric of life… From the way an think logically about a situembryo’s cells divide to a ation – something the busiZebra’s stripes, these ness world really values. seemingly random things are encoded by the constant of 2. You can’t go anywhere Pi. without running into mathematics
3. It’s the one language everyone speaks Have you ever gone somewhere and not been able to understand what the people are saying? Or worse, not been able to read the road signs because not only are they written in another language, but they actually use a different alphabet as well? Confusing right? Well, this doesn’t happen with mathematics. Yes, even though its mostly numbers, equations and Greek letters, people understand mathematics the same way all over the world. This means that it doesn’t require anyone to translate it. That’s pretty cool. And it’s one of the things that make mathematics such a powerful tool and essential life skill. 4. mathematics makes you more interesting Love music? Great at sport? Want to be the next winner of MasterChef? Good news – mathematics can make you better at all of the things you love to do. Geometry and trigonometry, for example, can help you work out the best way to hit a ball, make the back of the net or run around the track; fractions and algebra, on the other hand, can help you bake and play a musical instrument better. 5. Every career needs mathematics It goes without says that mathematicians,
scientists, engineers, IT experts and chartered accountants rely on mathematical principles to do the most basic aspects of their work. But they’re not the only people who need mathematics to do their job. From sales assistants who operate the cash register to people who work in a factory and even those who write for a living, all of us need must be able to do mathematics to keep track to keep track of things, solve problems and do their day-to-day work. Need more convincing? Think about this… 6. Studies show that it’s better for you to get 40% in mathematics than it is to get 100% in math literacy. Why? Because it’s harder to get into university if you take math lit. In fact, you’ll need an A or level 7 pass to enter most university programmes if pass Matric with math literacy. 7. Jobs in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields
are growing much faster than other careers. This means are more jobs available in STEM fields than in any other. 8. People who work in STEMs field such as engineering, accounting, medicine and others earn significantly more money (on average about 26% more) than people in other job types – regardless of your education level. 9. As a STEM university graduate, you’ll earn a higher first salary than a university graduate who isn’t in this field. 10. STEM fields have significantly lower unemployment rates. That means you’re more likely to keep your job if the economy is in trouble and companies are forced to make job cuts. So there you have it. Yes, mathematics is hard. But it’s well worth it for all the benefit it’ll give you when you’re out of school.
FUEL YOUR FUTURE WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE Just as the rhythm of 2020 settled in, life as we know it was paused. The global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated a national lockdown in South Africa since the end of March 2020. The abnormal became the new normal. This has left many Grade 12 learners with high levels of stress and anxiety as school programmes were disrupted, casting a shadow of uncertainty over preparations for post-school life. It is as if the work of the past eleven years suddenly means nothing, because the final school year has been disrupted beyond imagination. Who could have thought that 2020 would be the year of a national lockdown? So where does the University of the Free State (UFS) feature in all of this? We know that high school learners are faced with many questions regarding their
future; questions such as which subjects to choose, which career path to follow, and whether to apply for a post-school qualification. The University of the Free State (UFS) offers a variety of services to help learners kick-start their ‘I-wantto-be’. The UFS is an important source of knowledge and expertise geared towards assisting and supporting high school learners to choose subjects in Grade 9 and career options in Grades 11 and 12 that will best suit their individual values, passions, dreams, and talents.
for Universal Access and Disability Support.
One such platform is the Department of Student Recruitment Services. Among the services offered by the department, are the marketing team visiting schools across South Africa as well as selected international schools to recruit the best talent for undergraduate studies. In addition, the department also attends numerous career exhibitions to create awareness of the different programmes and services offered by the UFS. The department not only Future Kovsie2Bs can access assists Grade 11 and 12 learners in choosing a any of the UFS platforms for information about programme and to apply for the undergraduate programmes studies, but also guides and advises Grade 9 learners on offered, admission requirements, application and choosing the right subjects. closing dates, residence placements, fees, bursaries, and The purpose of Grade 9 subject-choice guidance other services such as academic advice and the Center sessions is to enable
learners to make the right subject choices in order to make their career dreams come true. The importance of the UFS open days, shadow-week opportunities, research on career choices, and psychometric assessments cannot be underestimated. The UFS provides helpful tools to Grade 9 learners, such as how to make good choices in life, how to keep your academics on track, and how to calculate your Admission Point (AP). The UFS also emphasises and appreciates the role that teachers and parents play during this crucial stage in the lives of learners. Faculties of Academic Excellence The UFS has three campuses, i.e. the Bloemfontein Campus, the South Campus in Bloemfontein, and the Qwaqwa Campus in the picturesque Eastern Free State. On the Bloemfontein Campus and the Qwaqwa Campus, the UFS has respectively seven and four faculties of academic excellence to choose from. The South Campus in Bloemfontein offers alternative access to tertiary studies through the University Preparation Programme to assist those students who were not admitted to a tertiary institution. Our online and distance-learning platforms are also managed from the South Campus. Prospective students can choose from undergraduate certificates, diplomas, and degrees. The faculties include Economic and Management Sciences, where
the brightest young minds learn to understand the economics of change. The faculty offers three fields of training, i.e. Private Sector, Public Sector, and Accountancy. The Faculty of Health Sciences only offers selection programmes in the Schools of Clinical Medicine, Pathology, Biomedical Sciences, Allied Health Professions, and Nursing. The faculty is very excited about the latest addition – a bachelor’s degree in Sport Coaching – a first for South Africa. Thirdly, the Faculty of the Humanities, where students learn to connect through languages, arts and social sciences, human sciences, and cultural sciences. Today’s ever-changing world requires various skills that the faculty can equip you with, including language proficiency, communication skills, creativity, interpersonal skills, problem-solving skills, and especially critical thinking. The fourth faculty is that of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, which offers a wide selection of programmes in Natural Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, and Building Sciences. To keep pace with the raging speed of technological advancement in the world, the faculty introduced a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology majoring in Data Science. Then there is the Faculty of Law, which is regarded as one of the best in the country. Its location in the judicial capital of South Africa exposes law students to theoretical teaching and the
practice of law in both the lower and higher divisions of the courts. The UFS is also a popular choice for the training of future teachers in Foundation Phase, Intermediate Phase, Senior Phase, and Further Education and Training Phase teaching through the Faculty of Education. The Faculty of Theology and Religion, the only institution in Central South Africa that offers fully-fledged, all-inclusive theological education, completes the list of faculties. The university offers an interdisciplinary fusion of qualifications such as sports and business, humanities and science, and economics combined with digital science. As the UFS is committed to producing all-round graduates, a variety of extramural activities are offered that will not only entertain students but also refre sh their minds. Student success and well-being are of the utmost importance to the UFS. The university encourages its current and prospective students to make use of advice and services provided by qualified academic advisers, which help learners make the right decision in selecting the curriculum that best fits their chosen path towards earning their degree in any of the seven faculties. The advice that learners receive is seen as academic support and a success lifeline while studying at the UFS. These advisers will stay by the side of
students throughout their university career until they walk across the graduation stage. Ms Nomonde Mbadi, Director of Student Recruitment Services, says “If you want to shape the world and provide solutions to global challenges, start your journey at the UFS and combine subject knowledge with your unique set of soft skills. This combination will help you prepare for the future world of work where technology and the human interface will be very prominent.” She invites learners – especially Grade 9, 10, 11 and 12 learners – to visit the website, book a campus tour, and apply to Kovsies so that they too can experience the vibrant social and academic life on all three UFS campuses. She highlights that high school learners should be aware of the different achievement levels of compulsory subjects, National Benchmark Tests, and application closing dates for selection and non-selection programmes. How to apply for undergraduate studies at the UFS To become a student at the University of the Free State, you need to • check out the 2021 UFS Prospectus at www.ufs.ac.za/prospective; • take note of when applications for especially selection programmes close. Applications for non-selection programmes close on 30 September 2020; • apply online for two study options. Visit
htps://apply.ufs.ac.za. Keep your mobile phone and an active email address ready, as you require both to access and complete the online application form. Application to study at the UFS is free. There is no application fee. The online application is quick and easy – no hassle, no fuss! It has an easy and modern design and is mobile- and tablet-friendly. You can apply using any device. You can expect a quicker response time if you apply online. If you need assistance with your application, call +27 51 401 9666. Our friendly call centre staff is ready to assist you. According to Ms Mbadi, the UFS also offers various programmes for bright sparks to reach for their dreams. She explained that the UFS is hosting the Star of Stars Competition, aimed at Quintile 1, 2 and 3 schools and including all five districts in the Free State. This competition is for all the bright sparks excelling in academics and leadership, and who are involved in community projects. Another competition is the atriculant of the Year Competition. This prestigious national competition will be celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Top achievers in academy, leadership, culture, and sports from Quintile 1-5 schools can enter the competition. The aim of both competitions is to reward top-achieving students in the Free State and South
Africa, but most importantly, to support them in overcoming difficult circumstances, thereby opening up greater opportunities in their student life and future careers. Entries for both competitions are already open and entry forms can be downloaded at https:// www.ufs.ac.za/prospective/ prospective-students/topachievers/ competitions-forbright-sparks. The 2021 UFS Prospectus provides valuable and detailed information on every aspect that a first-year student must be aware of in order to be fully prepared for life after school. Adapting to the demands and challenges of university life can be very daunting and intimidating. Therefore, Ms Mbadi encourages all prospective students and parents to equip themselves with as much information as possible from as early as Grade 9. “At the UFS, we look forward to welcoming you to Kovsies and we cannot wait for you to experience the ‘Kovsie feeling’.” Prospective students and parents can follow the UFS at Kovsie2B on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to stay informed or contact +27 51 401 300, send an email to info@ufs. ac.za or visit https://www.ufs. ac.za/prospective for valuable information. The University of the Free State. Inspiring excellence. Transforming lives.
In an ever changing world, having a skill set that makes one employable is critical. With a large portion of South Africa’s youth from lower income households, basic skills that will make a person employable, not only here but worldwide, is vital. While the concept of Employability as a commodity is closely linked to government policy in which graduates represent a valuable resource in the increasingly knowledge based economy, it is also about the ability of graduates to be able to respond to the changing needs of a rapidly developing labour market is seen as vital for economic growth. This is where ICT is a perfect fit. The South African scarce skills list is divided into 12
broad categories. Each category is related to specific sectors of the South African economy. The ICT industry of South Africa is one of these sectors. Scarce and Critical skills are defined as “an absolute or relative demand: current or in future; for skilled; qualified and experienced people to fill particular roles / professions, occupations or specialisations in the labour market.
South Africa’s local workforce lacks the qualifications or skills to meet the demands of our ICT industry. Currently, the South African government have to recruit from abroad to fill the skills gaps. There is also a distinction between absolute and relative scarcity of skills. Absolute scarcity refers to suitably skilled people who are not available in the labour market and may include new or emerging occupation, lack of suitably qualified people or insufficient numbers of people enrolled in programmes to meet the new demands.
Critical skills refers to particular capabilities needed within an occupation, for example, general management skills, communication and customer handling skills, teamwork skills, and Relative scarcity refers to communication technology skills. What this means is that suitably skilled people
available in the labour market but who may not necessarily have a high level of work experience, may not be located within a specific geographical location and equity considerations.
As for the ‘tangible’ factor – with the correct skills in place: • South Africa can continue to be the leader in Africa in this field. • South Africa can continue to attract world leaders in ICT is a key economic sector ICT to our shores. IBM, Microsoft and Dell are just three ICT is evolving almost on a major companies daily basis, such is the speed • already running subsidiarof new technology. In a ies in the country. simplified fashion, ICT is • South Africa can develop anything that will transmit or new systems, technologies receive information in a and software. These could digital form, store and add even more to the GDP. retrieve data via personal computers, email, your Specific opportunities within digital television or smart ICT phone, using software and The occupations within each satellite systems. ICT isn’t all sector on the South African about computers, but how we critical skills list are also conuse technology. sidered carefully. It is again those that will benefit the The logic behind the critical South African economy most skills list is not quite as that comes out tops. simple as ‘we have a skills shortage, we must fill the In the ICT sector, the skills shortage’. The following positions are industries and sectors on the listed: list are chosen carefully. They must benefit South Africa in • Cisco solution specialist a tangible way and drive our • Cisco engineer economy forward. ICT meets • Solutions Architects in Telboth these criteria. ecommunications and ICT • Integrated developers (PHP, Way back in 2013, the South Perl, Java) African ICT sector • Network Analyst contributed approximately • IT Security Specialist 8.2% to South Africa’s GDP. • System Integration SpecialThe total rand value was ist R468.4 billion. That is more • Enterprise Architecture than what agriculture added • Data Centre Operations to the GDP in the same year. • Network Specialist (secu-
rity) • Database Specialists • Microsoft System Engineers • Network Controllers • AV Specialists (anti-virus) ICT jobs are among the critical and scarce skills that South Africa needs to fulfil its development objectives. The 2018 National List of Occupations in High Demand highlights the jobs showing strong employment growth or those experiencing, or about to experience, labour market shortages. While 335 jobs are deemed to be high demand, a raft of ICT skills are among the approximately 100 ranked as being in highest demand. These are chief information officer (CIO), ICT project manager, data management manager, application development manager, information systems manager, IT manager, computer quality assurance specialist and ICT communications assistant. Higher- and high-demand occupations in the ICT sphere include ICT systems analyst, software developer, ICT risk specialist, programmer analyst, developer programmer, applications programmer, data quality officer, decision support analyst, computer network technician,
geographic information system specialists and technicians, multimedia designer and web designer, web developer, database designer and administrator, computer network and systems engineer, network analyst and ICT security specialist. Academies like Supreme ICT, do training needs analysis, curriculum design, pre and post assesment. They offer customised short courses, structured industry certification and SAQA accredited courses. They have MICT accreditation on the 3 qualifications listed below and are recognised CompTIA
Delivery Partner. The Supreme ICT Academy Online Institute is an on-line development and learning portal. When it comes to meeting any sustainable development goal, digital technologies play a huge role. It is therefore, both appropriate and encouraging that the communities of practice around ICTs for agriculture, education, livelihoods, water and sanitation, etc. are thriving. The world we live in is in a constant state of change. What might be there one day is never there the next. Look
at what has happened globally with Covid-19! Going forward, it appears there will always be a need for quality ICT studies through reputable institutions. ICT has become part of, and has transformed many aspects of our lives to the extent that we live in an environment that is dominated by technology which itself is consumer-driven. No matter how we perceive its presence, there is no denying that it is an important part of our lives and that it is here to stay.
REALISE THE FULL VALUE OF YOUR TRAINING INVESTMENT • National Certificate Telecommunication Network Operations NQF 4 • National Certificate Technical Support NQF 4 • National Certificate End User Computing NQF 4 • Optic Fibre Splicing ant testing 16 Credits NQF 5 • CompTIA N+ / A+ / Cloud Essentials/ Security+ • Internships/Learnership Training
Tel: 012 003 3293 / 082 772 2281 / 0861 516 3803 Email: info@supremeictacademy.co.za
www.supremeictacademy.co.za
BECOME LIMITLESS IN FITNESS WITH the HFPA FITNESS ACADEMY So you’re passionate about health and fitness! It’s something you’d love to pursue as a career; but you’re not sure what career options are available to you or where you should start.
stood the test of time. We were one of the first organisations in the World to offer specialised training for the fitness industry. Since 1979, HFPA has led the way offering comprehensive, innovative The health and fitness and accredited learning prosector is an incredibly grammes. HFPA graduates dynamic industry. New are employed internationally information is constantly in health clubs, in sporting coming to light regarding and recreation how the body works and how environments, on luxury we can apply what we already cruise liners and in holiday know in new and clubs. Graduates carve their innovative ways to improve own niche in the industry by fitness, boost athletic starting their own businesses performance, achieve that offer their own brand of wellness goals and re-shape expertise and service. There physiques. is a trend towards “holistic” wellness. This means This opens up a wealth of achieving health and career opportunities for the wellness goals through health and fitness enthusiast exercise, healthy eating wanting to build a career out and a good mental of their passion. If you want approach. to help others achieve their health and fitness goals or work in sports performance or recreational environments, the health and fitness industry offers a wide variety of career choices. The first important step is to earn a recognised qualification from a registered and reputable educational institution. HFPA is a brand that has
At HFPA we offer qualifications in Fitness, Sport, Lifestyle and Nutrition. We also offer many continuing education and specialisation programmes which enable the fitness professional
to steer their career in the direction of their particular interest, grow their scope of practice and earn CPD points. The fitness industry continues to be one of the fastest growing industries internationally. As technology advances and we become more isolated and deskbound in our working environment, it has become more important that we have a structured and balanced approach to keeping healthy. One of the most important roles of a health and fitness professional is to provide motivation to their
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risk clients). This qualification provides the foundation on which to build a highly successful career in the fitness industry.
Successfully completing the Higher Certificate gives you access to the Advanced Certificate in Exercise Science; NQF6. The Advanced Certificate will qualify you as an Exercise Specialist and Strength and HFPA is a registered Higher Conditioning Coach. Work Education institution. in a variety of Sport Specific, Internationally, Higher Fitness, Recreation and Education qualifications are Rehabilitation environments. recognised and understood With a focus on special to be of a high standard and population groups, you can delivered by a competent work amid a referral team provider with the necessary of doctors, physiotherapists, administrative and student biokineticists, dieticians and support structures in place. sport scientists, with clients With a higher education qualification there is an easier who have particular physical needs and goals. These transition into higher include people with education university degree cardiovascular, programmes, should you wish to further your studies. musculoskeletal, immunological, neurological and metabolic We offer 2 higher education conditions, as well as qualifications. The Higher pregnancy, the youth and the Certificate in Exercise elderly. Advanced training in Science (NQF5) is a sports one year qualificaconditioning, will enable you tion that covers to apply personal trainadvanced programme design ing and sports and conditioning conditioning methods in the as well as an introduction fields of strength conditioning and high performance to special training to prepare athletes populations to compete at the top of their (young, sport. elderly and certain high
If you would prefer to offer Lifestyle and Wellness services to your clients, we have a variety of Nutrition Courses. HFPA have partnered with Plaskett International College to offer their Courses which are internationally accredited with IICT (International Institute of Complimentary Therapists). Graduates may register with the IICT on successful completion of the Advanced Diploma in Nutritional Therapy. We also offer National Certifications (SETA accredited) in Fitness and Sports Management. These are the National Certificate in Fitness – Personal Trainer (NQF5) and the National Diploma in Fitness – Advanced Personal Trainer (NQF5). The National Certificate in Sport Management is a popular course which will provide you with access to the sports industry and give you a good base from which to grow your career. Couple the management qualification with some of our other courses and further improve your chances of success in the sports environment. If working abroad is your aim, we have you covered! Through REPSSA, HFPA is registered with the (IC REPS)
International Register of Exercise Professionals, an international association for fitness professionals. This means that our qualifications are recognised internationally and that our students can gain employment with their qualification in Europe, the UK, the USA, the U.A.E, the Middle East and North Africa, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and South and sub-Saharan Africa. As the Leaders in the fitness industry, we at HFPA are fully committed to ensuring, not only that you have a wide range of qualifications to choose from, but also that we
have study modes to suit your needs. We offer Full Time, Part Time, Distance Learning and Online study modes. The Full Time study programmes are offered from our campuses on weekdays and are ideal for school leavers coming from a school environment, where contact with teachers, and interaction with peers, is a constant. The Full Time study mode provides a very similar environment where learning is more hands-on. Studying full time means the full experience of student-life and peer interaction, as well as personal, consistent support from our highly qualified tutors.
If you work during the week, our Part-Time programmes are offered on Saturday mornings from our Campuses. Our campuses boast multimedia lecture facilities, resource centres where students have access to Wi-Fi and computers, as well as a library of resources. Our campuses also feature stateof-the-art gym facilities to meet all of our students’ fitness education requirements. We have a full complement of professional and friendly, service-oriented staff committed to making your experience at HFPA smooth and efficient. Our courses are also offered in the Distance Learning mode. Online study is
videos, audio recordings, virtual lessons, a library, animated slide shows, webinars, tips, chat rooms, forums, questionnaires, links, tutorials and more. All students have access to the HFPA OLP which provides a wealth of additional study aids for all modes of study. We look forward to welcoming you as a student. Our HFPA Online Learning We endeavour to provide a fun and constructive Platform (OLP) was developed to bring the class- learning experience. Our room to our distance learn- student advisors are on hand ing students. The OLP uses a to assist with any enquiries wealth of resources to make you may have. learning more Contact them via our website interactive and structured. or call our national help line These resources deliver 0861 777 010 theoretical, as well as practical content via multi-media lectures, supported by workshops (optional attendance) which are offered throughout the year from all HFPA Campuses and Support Centers. Students are able to register at any time of year and study from anywhere. Students are allocated to online tutors who will assist you throughout your course.
HOW TO USE A RECRUITMENT AGENCY What is a recruitment agency? In the simplest of terms, a recruitment agency is a company that seeks out candidates for various vacant positions with different companies, based on the wants or needs of the potential Employer. Over the last few years there has been an increase in the number of in-house recruiters within companies. This has, to a large extent, been fuelled by employers’ belief that an internal recruiter is able to gain a deeper understanding of the business and its values, and should therefore have the ability to find a candidate that would really fit in with the company culture. It is important however to keep in
mind that an private agency recruiter has a lot of contact with either specific or multiple industry sectors, and a will have a greater understanding of trends and potential candidates. How to effectively work with an agency: As a job seeker, it is important to understand that working through a recruitment agency is not just about the work the agency does. It is vital that you take an active role in ensuring you effectively manage your employability. 1. Take responsibility for your own career Agencies do not find people jobs. They search for candidates who are potentially suitable to fulfil their clients’ needs, and bring them together. The recruitment industry is
hugely sales driven, so agencies are under pressure to perform. You will certainly still be able to find specialist consultants who are willing to give you personalised advice and assistance, but don’t set your expectations too high in terms of the success rates of your applications if you don’t put in the time and effort to make yourself hireable. 2. Build solid relationships Choose and get in contact with, 2 or 3 agencies that operate with companies in your specialist area. It is better to deal with specialist agencies rather than generalists if possible, as this reduces the level of risk in your application. Obviously there are certain jobs that don’t require a specialist, and then certainly work with the
agencies that you feel most comfortable with. 3. Give yourself broad exposure Register your CV with several agencies, and also post it onto the jobs boards. Make sure you have a lot of search words repeated in your CV as this will give you a higher ranking in the recruiter’s searches. You should also search for online jobs yourself, and if you see something you like send in your CV. Also Google the agency and give them a call to introduce yourself if they don’t supply contact information. Recruitment really is a numbers game and you will be successful if you embrace this in your job search, whilst managing the frustrations of making many applications and only getting a small number of responses. Make it easy for agencies to reach you, with ALL your up to date contact information on your CV.
4. Don’t apply for jobs that are not relevant Read the job advertisement properly and if you don’t fulfil the criteria, don’t apply. If you just apply to every single job you see, you may eventually be seen as an unfocused candidate and could be taken off the agency’s database. Keep track of the jobs you apply to. Agencies often advertise the same role on different sites, so if you have already applied through one site, do not send your CV again through another. You will save yourself time, expectations will be managed and you will not create the impression of being desperate. Also check how frequently they want you to check in with them for updates, and then make it a habit to have a quick catch up without becoming a pest. Remember, they are targeted and don’t have time to speak
with you unless there is a real reason. You want to make sure you are top of mind mind and on their database for the right reasons! 5. Working in partnership gives you competitive advantage If an agency calls you, make sure you call back quickly or answer immediately as timing is sometimes crucial. If they arrange an interview, confirm that you have received the details and call them back straight after the
interview. Give them your feedback concisely and be specific about what happened in the interview. Give them time to contact the client for feedback before you chase too hard. This all helps to build a relationship with your recruiter and even if you don’t get offered the first role, if you do well in interviews they will certainly put you forward to the next suitable role. If you under perform at interview or commit some of
the most common faux pas (E.g arriving late, not grooming appropriately, bad mouth your last employer) they will think hard before including you on a shortlist again.�
The Importance of Partnering with a Career Coach By Candice Black
are running away with us and that we don’t have time to put our ideas into action. When your work is not in alignment with your strengths or you’re in a toxic environment, this is not sustainable in the long-run and can have a significant impact on your mental and physical health.
achievement, and doing work It can be extremely that reflects one’s personal overwhelming to figure out values. your next step on your own, which is why working with a Once you know that you Career Coach can be so need to make a change, it is beneficial. The Career difficult not to become Coaching process enables restless. Many of us at some you to explore your unique point in our working lives gifts and potential and apply may feel as if we are in this to your career path in the “robot mode” or on a “hamster wheel,” trapped into future. an endless cycle of routine. The first and most important We may even experience Many adults are now looking feelings of panic that our lives step towards making any career change is to learn beyond the financial, status about yourself. Research and stability factors related to consistently demonstrates full-time corporate that the single greatest employment and placing predictor of success is more emphasis on their self-awareness. Self-awarepersonal needs such as ness creates a greater level of career satisfaction, work-life confidence because you’re no balance, a sense of personal longer second-guessing Careers are a lot less simple and predictable than they were in the past. The fast pace of economic and technological change means that staying at one company from entry-level to retirement is a thing of the past. Furthermore, with the COVID-19 Pandemic, many people are re-thinking the way they work and how they spend their time.
yourself and you feel energised into action. Often Psychometric Assessments are used to enable you to understand yourself in-depth. Assessments usually help you to understand your personality, uncover your interests and identify your core values. Throughout the coaching process, self-awareness is gained through exploratory conversations about your work history, feedback on your assessments, and discussions about your dreams and goals. The next step of the process involves overcoming fears. The role of the Coach is to
assist you to replace limiting beliefs and fears with empowering thought patterns. Uncertainty can be terrifying, and the idea of letting go of a stable income and benefits may feel frightening. However, a Coach can help you to identify and overcome your fears so that you can take the leap into a career you love. The role of the Coach is also to support you and encourage you; being removed from your life, they are able to be your sounding board and to offer objective insights, helping you to see things from a different perspective.
Through a coaching partnership, you will be able to gain clarity regarding your next career steps. There is a common misconception that a Coach will tell you what to do, however, this is untrue; they are there to guide you towards your own conclusions and empower you to take ownership of your own career journey. Their goal is to help you find out what you’re good at and what you love, delving into your ideas and passions in order to help move you closer towards determining your own purpose. Once you have been through a process of self-reflection,
the next steps are to find out what the world needs and what you can get paid for (i.e. what jobs / career opportunities are out there). The Coach will usually assist you with goal setting and action planning, helping you to navigate job opportunities and consider various options, while acting as your accountability partner. Many Career Coaches may also help you to optimise your CV and LinkedIn profile and coach you on interview skills. It is important to remember that a career is developed rather than chosen. As we gain work experience, self-awareness and knowledge of opportunities, we are able to direct our careers and find work that is meaningful to us.
Candice Black
Registered Psychometrist and Career Coach HUMANESSENCE www.humanessence.co.za candice@humanessence.co.za 083 225 3735
“Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life you’re proud to live.” Anne Sweeney, former Co-chair of Disney Media
African women are born on a continent that marches to the beat of its own drum, and it shows. Women in business in Africa may speak many different languages, dress so differently according to culture, have different colour skin… but what they all have in common is a will and drive to succeed above and beyond what is laid out for them. In our Pride of Africa series of pieces, we celebrate African women who are lighting the way forward for others to dream and succeed.
Hilma Ndinelago Moses Hilma Ndinelago Moses works for the African Union Commission (AUC) as a Human Rights Associate in the Department of Political Affairs’ Human Rights and Transitional Justice Cluster in Addis Ababa Ethiopia. She is a One Young World (OYW) Ambassador and the former Vice President of the University of Namibia Student Representative Council. Hilma’s academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Honors degree from the University of Namibia and a post graduate Diploma in Disarmament,
Non-proliferation, and Development from the United Nations Mandated University for Peace (UPEACE)
mediation, environmental issues, good governance, and the fight against poverty and hunger.
Hilma’s future plans include completing her PhD Hilma is the founder of a and becoming Dr. Moses. social impact This young lady wants to be initiative called Namibian known as a selfless advocate Opportunities, this online for youth and opportunities platform provides access to for young life-changing opportunipeople, as well as a selfless ties taking place around the world and within Namibia. leader who goes out of their way to create a path for othIt provides developmental support for young Namibians ers. who venture in advocacy and activism work and tackles issues such as human rights, peace and security, conflict resolution and
Ntsiki Biyela Ntsiki Biyela is the first female black winemaker in South Africa. She is a B Sc. Oenology graduate from Stellenbosch University and was an SAA bursar after excelling at science in high school in Zululand.
1998 by South African Airways, who were providing a number of wine making scholarships. She was able to attend university on a full scholarship
was also able to get a parttime job at local winery Delheim. In 2009 Biyela was named as South Africa’s Woman Winemaker of the Year. After 13 years of being a winemaker and ambassador of Stellekaya wines, Ntsiki Biyela has continued her journey of inspiration by starting her own brand, Aslina Wines, named after her grandmother.
Biyela had never tasted wine prior to starting her studies, but soon came to love what Biyela grew up in she describes as “the Mahlabathini in Zululand. Having made a number of ever-changing content of wine.” Her lectures were unsuccessful grant primarily delivered in applications to study at university, she was offered the Afrikaans, which she did not opportunity to study speak, so Biyela learnt the Ntsiki is a board member of majority of the winemaking the Pinotage Youth Developviticulture and oenology at Stellenbosch University in content via English notes. She ment Academy (PYDA)
Judy Goddard “Young African entrepreneurs...must create the environment we want to operate in”
the Business Events industry across Africa.
Judy obtained an honours degree in Hospitality Born in Zimbabwe but Management in Switzerland, where she was living and working in South Africa, don’t let Judy’s broad awarded Outstanding smile lure you into believing Student of the Graduating that she is anything less than Class of 2007 and the Swiss a passionate and determined Hospitality Touch for African Entrepreneur. Leadership in the Graduating Class of 2008. She’s worked and travelled across the globe Johannesburg based, she is including Australia, United the founder and director of Kingdom, the United States Masiwela Events, co-owner, and director of Masiwela & Europe mastering a vast Hospitality and the most knowledge of different expertise in Human Resource recently launched Masiwela Staffing. The vision is to build Management, Sales, a turn key service offering for Marketing and Project
Management. With ten years of management experience, Judy has enjoyed a successful career. She has worked with world class establishments internationally and locally namely Marriott, Hyatt and the African Sun Hotel Group as well as the Multichoice Group. Judy’s mantra is that there are no problems, only solutions and that the destination is the journey – we are always on our way somewhere and so long as we’re doing meaningful work, one’s passion and purpose are aligned.
Take control of your
CA(reer) path By Karin Jacobsen
‘Boring, conservative men in grey suits who are obsessed with numbers and have a fancy car parked in the garage…’ If this is what you think being a chartered accountant (CA[SA]) is all about, think again. CAs(SA) are so much more than bean-counting, number crunchers. Companies rely on a CA(SA)’s disciplined, insightful approach to business, and strong analytical skills, to make business decisions that help their companies grow. In fact, 74% of the JSE’s Top 200 company chief financial officers (CFOs) and almost a
third of the JSE’s top 40 CEOs But being a CA(SA) isn’t are CAs(SA)! about money and status. The CA(SA) designation gives you control of your future!
Here are some compelling reasons to consider this career path:
Statistics show that 35% of all 1st year varsity students view the CA(SA) designation as the most attractive career option – this is more than double those wanting to be doctors and lawyers.
• Because a CA(SA) is the person responsible for analysing and reporting on financial information, CAs(SA) frequently end up as the head and heart of a business;
Small wonder that CAs(SA) are highly sought-after professionals who quickly rise to the top of their fields. And yes, chartered accountants – even at the most junior levels – are among the top five highest earners in South Africa.
• Being a CA(SA) is challenging and exciting. It serves as a base for establishing a highly promising and varied career; • A CA(SA) plays many roles in business and doesn’t solely focus on numbers;
• Because of their value in business, CAs(SA) are able to work internationally at ease;
a number of different ways! and • CAs(SA) are able to start their own companies and be their own boss.
• Those studying toward a CA(SA) designation usually land up in careers that value a balanced lifestyle promoting So how do you become one? work flexibility and the ability to earn a good living; The minimum requirements for university admission to a • Because finance is the fuel CA-stream BCom degree are that powers the economy and a Level 5 pass in because CAs(SA) are Mathematics, together with financial experts, multiple a National Senior Certificate career opportunities present with matriculation themselves to a CA(SA); exemption. You need to take pure Mathematics (not • The CA(SA) designation Mathematical Literacy) as a creates the mobility to work subject and you need to pass in any industry of choice – in it well. That means achieving all fields of business and 60% or more. You also need finance and, more a good grounding in English, specifically, in auditing/ as it will help you to assurance, tax, financial understand the concepts you management, information will study. Many learners technology, management believe that having accounting, forensic accounting as a school accounting and insolvency; subject is compulsory to study towards your CA(SA). • Holding the CA(SA) While it can help you in your designation provides many studies towards your degree, opportunities for furthering it isn’t necessary. your ability to continue to learn new skills and Now let’s talk universities… knowledge; If you want to be a CA(SA), you need to ensure that the • CAs(SA) hold prestigious university you’re applying to positions in the private and offer a BCom qualification / public sector and in programme that is accredited academia; by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants • The skills you develop also (SAICA). A full list of the position you to contribute to universities that offer making South Africa a better SAICA-accredited BCom place through giving back in Accountancy programmes
can be found here: www.saica.co.za/becomeamember. Once you’ve completed the three-year degree, you’ll need to obtain a Certificate in the Theory of Accounting (CTA or honours equivalent). This is a post-graduate course – your fourth year at university – and focuses on Accounting, Auditing, Taxation and Financial Management. It takes a minimum of one year to complete and must be completed at a SAICAaccredited university. Once you have your BCom, it’s time to get real-world working experience Once you’ve obtained your CTA, you’ll enter into a three-year training contract with a SAICA registered training office. During you training, you must pass two Qualifying Examinations: the Initial Test of Competence (ITC) and the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC). If you pass everything first time, the entire qualification process takes about seven years from the time you enter university. Now that may sound like a long time, but it’s worth it. What career paths can you follow once you qualify as a CA(SA) Many CAs(SA) don’t do traditional accounting work because studying to become a CA(SA) opens up a LOT of doors here in SA and
internationally. In accounting firms, CAs(SA) generally audit financial statements and provide tax or financial planning advice. They also offer consulting and advisory services in a variety of fields such as corporate finance, management accounting, information technology and general financial and business management. You can also go into government and the public sector where CAs(SA) hold top notch positions (like the Auditor-General or Head of National Treasury) and are widely recognised for effective financial management, leadership and providing
services to their country.
entrepreneurial route and become your own boss! The bottom line is if you choose well and work smart, you’ll be recognised as a business leader because you’re CA(SA)!
In business, CAs(SA) can specialise in management accounting, financial management, taxation, corporate governance, internal audit and many other fields. Many lead major For more information visit: companies as Chief Executive www.saica.co.za/becomeamember. Officers, Chief Financial Officers and Managing Directors. You can also go into academia to become a lecturer and develop the next generation of CAs(SA) by lecturing at universities and providing training through professional programmes. Or you can follow the
THREE DESIGNATIONS. ONE SOLID PROFESSIONAL
ORGANISATION
At SAICA, we don’t believe that one size fits all. As the foremost recognised institute for business leaders, we now offer three different accountancy and business designations to set you off on a path to success: CA(SA), AGA(SA, and AT(SA). All three designations are underpinned by SAICA’s solid ethical foundation, equipping you with the tools to uphold the highest level of professionalism, discipline and performance at the relevant business level. CA(SA) is our premium business designation. It is a top-tier accountancy designation that enables professional accountants to lead at the highest level in organisations. CAs(SA) create and protect business value while informing and shaping the strategic direction in business and the broader economy.
AGAs(SA) is our mid-tier accountancy designation, equipping professional accountants with multidisciplinary skills to measure and enhance organisational value. AGAs(SA) accelerate performance by bridging operational and strategic management functions within organisations.
AT(SA) is our practical, work ready foundational designation. This entrylevel accountancy qualification and professional membership offers a solid foundation in accounting, finance and business practice. AT(SA) is accessible to aspirant accountants who function at foundational business levels.
With our proud reputation for instilling and maintaining high levels of professional integrity, you can be assured of the quality and thereby credibility of a SAICA designation at any appropriate level.
Professional body membership:
a progressive way to propel your career to new heights Around the world, professional bodies exist with the mandate of representing, promoting and enhancing their respective profession. As the voice for South Africa’s chartered accountants [CAs(SA)], it is the role of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) to play this part as it constantly strives to maintain and strengthen the overall status of the accountancy profession and ensure that its members continue to be highly regarded by society at large. Yet here is the thing most accountants (and aspiring accountants) do not realise. SAICA membership is not reserved for CAs(SA) only. As the leading accountancy body in the country and one of the most prominent institutes in the global accounting space, SAICA offers three reputable professional accounting and business designations that range from a foundational level to a strategic level of accounting and business competence level. These designations are the
Accounting Technician [AT(SA)], Associate General Accountant [AGA(SA)] and CA(SA) – all of which are underpinned by SAICA’s Code of Professional Competence and continuous professional learning (CPL) requirements which ensures that SAICA members and associates demonstrate the highest level of professionalism, discipline and performance. And this means that from, both a business and personal level, there are many benefits that you enjoy by joining a professional body or hiring an individual who belongs to one.
The value of belonging to a professional body
Regulation: SAICA’s Code of Professional Competence conforms to the Institute International Federation of Accountants’ International Ethics Standards Board. This Code serves to guide the professional credibility and business conduct of all members and associates to ensure that they act with independence, sound judgement, integrity, ethics and maintain high
professional standards at all times. Because of this Code, members can also be held to account (and disciplined accordingly) if they are shown to have contravened the Code in any way. Recognition: If you are a SAICA member or associate, it means that you have qualified through a trusted, well-regulated, rigorous education and assessment process. This means that recruiters and HR managers often feel more confident about your professional qualifications and are more likely to short-list you for an interview. As a recruiter, the benefits of this to your company cannot be overstated. A commitment to lifelong learning and professional development: Because professional bodies pride themselves on the quality of
its members, SAICA helps its members and associates maintain their professional excellence, relevance and skills by giving them access to quality research and training of both a technical and pervasive nature. This ensures members are current and relevant in competencies and skills.
Career mobility and recognition: Professional bodies open doors for employment and put their members in a privileged position to pursue the most diverse and rewarding career opportunities. SAICA, for example, currently has mutual recognition agreements in place with 14 Leadership development: As countries (including the US, UK, Australia, Zambia and a member of a professional body like SAICA, you can more). These agreements mean that volunteer towards projects that assist the organisation members’ CA(SA) achieve its strategic priorities. designation can be recognised as equivalent to This includes sitting on the local designation in that working committees, country if they meet certain sub-committees, task teams qualifying criteria. and even the board (if you qualify). This gives you a Networking: Professional unique chance to develop bodies give members team work and leadership skills which are vital for your countless opportunities to network with people within professional development their profession. This is a one and greatly enrich your CV, of the easiest ways to quickly especially early into your career. and greatly expand the reach of your networking – just imagine what could happen in your career if you attend a conference and just happen to sit next the CEO of a major listed company. So, if you are an accountant looking for a professional home, visit www.saica.co.za to see if you qualify to join as a member or associate to enjoy these and other benefits.
THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTHY EATING
When you’re in the middle of completing a complicated assignment or juggling study with multiple other commitments, healthy eating can drop to the bottom of your priority list at lightning speed. As understandable as this is, eating healthy foods can boost your wellbeing and academic performance in a number of ways. Read on for more information about how healthy eating can improve your study experience:
Eating healthy and energy Life as a student can be hectic, stressful, and deadline-driven, and as such
it often feels like you need all the energy and concentration you can muster. What you eat, and how often you eat, can have a powerful influence on your energy levels. Eating at regular intervals and focusing on consuming low GI food can help to keep your blood sugar levels stable; this assists in preventing energy ‘crashes’, faintness, and lethargy. If you would like to find out more information about increasing your intake of low GI foods, more information can be found from the University of Sydney’s Glycemic Index website. There is also a shopper’s guide available that provides scientifically tested GI ratings for foods commonly available
at supermarkets. Ensuring you drink water consistently can also prevent the fatigue and difficulty in focusing associated with dehydration.
Eating healthy and immunity
The last thing you need when you are studying and juggling multiple responsibilities is to get sick. This can create a bucket-load of unnecessary stress for you, including pressure to stay on top of course content and deadlines when you would much rather be curled up in bed with a tissue box. Luckily, eating healthily has a proven positive impact on immunity. However, building up the strength of your
immune system can take time. For example, as dietician Kristin Kirkpatrick writes: “A truly healthy immune system depends on a balanced mix of vitamins and minerals over time, plus normal sleep patterns and a hefty dose of exercise.” If you are looking to boost your intake of fruit and vegetables to improve your immunity but your budget is tight, buying frozen vegetables can be a good option. As Kirkpatrick notes: “Manufacturers freeze frozen fruits and veggies at ‘peak’ ripeness, which means they’ll pack a similar nutritional value as their fresh counterparts. Just choose plain frozen foods rather
than those with added sugars or sodium.”
processed foods were less likely to become depressed. These findings are considered significant, as while many Eating unhealthy foods studies have shown the and mental health benefit of nutrients like B Studying can be a stressful vitamins in protecting against and sometimes emotionally challenging time. depression, earlier studies had not shown that processed While it’s normal to enjoy eating comfort foods, if your foods might actually increase a person’s chance of diet doesn’t feature healthy developing depression. foods your mood and Hence, while eating healthy wellbeing can suffer. For foods can feel like just example, a recent study another chore while you’re published in the British busy studying, it can actually Journal of Psychiatry assist your academic compared participants that performance and personal ate a whole food diet and wellbeing in a number of those that ate a diet filled important ways with processed foods. They found that those that consumed more of the whole foods or less of the
JOIN THE UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL (UKZN), THE UNIVERSITY OF CHOICE, FOR YOUR CAREER PROSPECTS. SOUTH AFRICAN FIRST TIME APPLICANTS MUST APPLY
via Central Applications Office (CAO) at www.cao.ac.za
CLOSING DATES FOR 2021 APPLICATIONS
Undergraduate Programmes: MEDICINE: 31 JULY 2020
All other programmes: 30 SEPTEMBER 2020
ORE IT FOR MTION VIS A M R .za INFO zn.ac
www
.uk
There’s no place like home. We have our place. They have theirs. Visit nspca.co.za for more about the hazards of capturing and breeding exotic animals. BlastBC 126829
