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To address the ICT skills shortage in South Africa, especially in the BI field, PBT runs an extensive internship program each year as part of our social responsibility program. The program is offered to 10 or more PDI graduates and lasts a full year. In the second half of each year, PBT and any partners participating in the internship program approach South Africa’s major universities looking for suitable candidates in the business science and technology fields. PBT’s management also makes the time to join final year students during classes to talk about the business world outside university, what the students can expect when they enter the job market and to introduce the company to them. A panel made up of PBT directors and partner companies involved in that year’s internship then interviews students interested in the PBT internship. A selected group of potential interns are sent on a five day boot camp where they are handed technical and non-technical assignments to see where their strengths and weaknesses lie and whether they’re suited to the program. After the boot camp, a final selection of students is made for the internship. At the start of their year, the students are sent on a three month training course where a full-time tutor instructs them. They learn about the company, the various approaches and techniques used in BI, the technologies used as well as non-technical issues such as business communication and presentations. They get to do real-life case studies and many exercises using the appropriate technologies. The following nine months are spent in on-the-job training, either at PBT’s offices or with the partner. During this period, the interns work in a real-time environment and are guided with all the assistance they may need. Senior specialists from PBT act as mentors for them during this period. Once the 9 month period is over, all interns are guaranteed a job. Half are employed at PBT and the other half will be appointed by the partner company. The internship program not only provides a steady flow of top specialised ICT skills to PBT and its clients, but also assists in ensuring that young people with valuable skills are being introduced into the market every year.
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