The effectiveness of a graduate internship programme in enhancing employment and career development opportunities for South African youths

Abstract

The research was a qualitative study where it explored and evaluated the effectiveness of a graduate internship programme at a resident university under study. The aim of the study was to find out if the programme was useful to graduates attempting to gain work experience and skills and competencies required in the workplace. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with mentors, line managers (of former interns already in employment) and former interns. Focus-group discussions took place with interns who were currently in the system. The findings show that the programme is achieving its intended outcomes as far as graduates gaining the necessary skills and work exposure. This was made possible because interns are allocated a mentor and workplan right at the start of the programme. They receive constant feedback for them to develop skills and to improve their performance. Achieving these was only possible when the interns themselves were ready to learn and committed to their work.