In order to empower our university's regional staff to recruit sufficient host organisations, we arranged some sales training. What follows is the product of collective effort and a literature review, refined by the trainer and edited.
Improve human resource efficiencies
University students need work exposure as part of their distance studies. Their availability is flexible and can be tailored to suit your business needs, as they are not restricted by semesters of class attendance.
They can be used to:
· relieve permanent staff from routine tasks
· alleviate workloads over peak periods
· shadow permanent staff and/or share workloads
They may also enable the completion of a project or research which may otherwise not have been possible.
Should a student be offered employment upon graduation, they already know your organisation and can immediately contribute within it.
Cost-effective
The stipends paid to students are more than covered by their contributions to productivity.
No-obligation recruitment opportunity
After observing the students’ performance and monitoring their conduct over time, you may choose to offer employment to a student you already know matches your recruitment criteria and fits into your organisation. You will also have the opportunity to train, mould and groom individuals to fit the needs of your organisation (enculturation of initiates). This may contribute to improved retention and will reduce recruitment costs.
Knowledge and insights transfer
Students may contribute their acquired knowledge to resolve problems encountered and offer theoretical insights and fresh perspectives and ideas on challenges experienced. The interaction of students with permanent staff may also bring about an awareness of new developments, boost creativity and innovation and may inspire staff development.
A constructive corporate social investment (CSI) opportunity
University students reflect the demographics of our population and can therefore improve your employment equity profile. Serving as a host organisation for University students to gain work experience will further enhance your organisational image and reputation, as well as add to building a culture of ‘doing the right thing’. Employing students from University gives you the opportunity to:
· contribute to meeting the skills development needs of the country
· select, train and develop students from disadvantaged backgrounds
· contribute to economic growth
Students where you need them
University students are situated across South Africa and the world, so organisations with multiple branches or offices will be able to source local students.
University students are used to working autonomously
The nature of distance education means that students can pace themselves, a skill that will contribute to reaching organisational objectives. University students also learn independently and should therefore be able to work independently.
An opportunity to expand your organisation’s network
We would like you to establish and build a relationship with the regional and academic staff of the university and play a role in influencing the curriculum of university’s qualifications.
Bibliography:
Boud, D. & Costley, C. 2007. From project to advising: new conceptions of the practice. Innovations in Education & Teaching International, 44(2), May 2007, 119-130.
Burton, J. 2004. Work based learning in health and social care: innovations and applications, Middlesex University, 25 February 2004. Work Based Learning in Primary Care, 2004(2), 193-195.
Coll, R.K., Eames, C, Paku, L., Lay, M., Hodges, D., Bhat, R., Ram, S., Ayling, D., Flemming, D., Ferkins, L., Wiersma, C. & Martin, A. 2009. An exploration of pedagogies employed to integrate knowledge in work-integrated learning. Journal of Cooperative Education & Internships, 43(1), 14-35.
Coll, R.K. 2005. Some contemporary issues and challenges in tertiary science education. Canadian Journal of Science, Mathematics & Technology Education, 5(1), January 2005, 1-3.
Department of Marketing Management, University of Johannesburg. Rethink education, reinvent yourself. http://www.uj.ac.za/marketing/WorkIntegratedLearning/tabid/13293/Default.aspx
Fadzil, D.A.K.S. The importance of work-integrated learning. http://sg.jobstreet.com/learning/hr2.htm
Gibson, E., Brodie, S. Sharpe, S. & Wong, D.K.Y. Towards the development of a work-integrated learning unit. http://www.cfl.mq.edu.au/celebrate/pdf/papers/gibson1.pdf
Rickard, W. 2002. Work-based learning in health: evaluating the experience of learners, community agencies and teachers. Teaching in Higher Education, 7(1), 47-63.
Wikipedia: Corporate Social Responsibility. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporate_social_responsibility