Scores of interns gathered this week at the Public Safety Headquarters in Martindale, west of the city, to mark the end of their internship programme and job readiness workshop. It was a day filled with joy from the trainees and sadness from the mentors as they said their goodbyes to the group of intern graduates. Interns and mentors gathered outside the boardroom at Martindale to celebrate the training opportunity. They were given a certificate of appreciation for completing the programme. The internship programme had been running for the past 18 months to help graduates gain workplace experience and develop professional aptitude in the various career paths available in the city.
Tebogo Morake, the Public Safety Youth Development Practitioner, expressed sadness over the interns’ departure.
“It hurts,” Morake said, thanking the interns for their dedication and the positive changes they brought to the workplace.
“As sad as we are that you are leaving us today, we are also glad that you were under our leadership because you have made positive contributions to the department.”
All interns were recognised for their contributions to various directorates within Public Safety.
The department stated that the skills acquired by intern graduates during the various training programmes will be advantageous when they enter the job market.
Synock Matobako, Manager of Public Information and Education Relations (PIER), is proud of the interns’ eagerness and determination to learn.
“An internship is an important part of one’s career journey because it allows you to brand and market yourself,” said Keketso Rabotho, a Department of Labour career counsellor.
Rabotho noted that despite gaining skills over the course of 18 months, the interns trained and mastered discipline and work ethic.
“It can be a cruel world out there, and I know some of you are afraid of an uncertain future, but remember that this is your journey, and you have to take risks that will pay off in the end,” Rabotho said.
One intern expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work in the City and apply what he learned at university in the workplace while developing soft skills.
Mpho Makhanya considered joining the Emergency Management Services (EMS) to be a calling. She recalled joining EMS as a cadet when she was 13 years old, little knowing that after a decade she would be given the opportunity to work in the City.
Makhanya expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work as a PIER intern.
“We take pride in educating the community about various Pier programmes, such as CPR, Firefighting, and other initiatives offered by the department,” she said.
She was pleased to have made contacts in the City with people who had begun as colleagues but ended up as friends.
Written by Dakalo Ramudidibi
15/12/2022