Johannesburg, South Africa – More than 1,200 final-year students with disabilities from across South Africa will take an important step towards meaningful employment today as the Disability Workplace Readiness Summit opened in Johannesburg.
The two-day summit which continues tomorrow, has already created a vibrant platform for students to engage directly with more than 40 leading corporate organisations, explore career opportunities, gain valuable workplace insights and establish connections that could lead to internships, learnerships and permanent employment.
Designed to bridge the gap between education and employment, the summit is focused on preparing young people with disabilities for the world of work while encouraging employers to recognise the immense talent, resilience and diverse perspectives that persons with disabilities bring to the workplace.
The event is proudly sponsored by Sanlam, whose ongoing commitment to diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity reflects its belief that South Africa’s future workforce must be representative of all its people.
“At Sanlam, we believe that talent knows no barriers. We are proud to support initiatives that create meaningful pathways into employment for persons with disabilities and help build workplaces where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Great People, Great Place, Greater Growth is our commitment to creating opportunities for people to realise their potential. By investing in young people, embracing diversity and creating inclusive opportunities, we not only change lives, but we also strengthen our organisation and contribute to a more inclusive and prosperous South Africa.” says Sana-Ullah Bray – Group Executive: Human Capital at Sanlam
Today’s programme saw students meet event partners – Sanlam, L’Oreal South Africa, Public Investment Corporation, Airports Company South Africa, Buhler Group and a wide range of other corporates, as well as recruiters, human resource professionals and business leaders. Interactive employer exhibitions, workplace readiness activities, career guidance sessions and networking opportunities delivered practical knowledge to help students transition confidently from education into employment.
Participating companies gained valuable insights into inclusive recruitment practices while identifying talented graduates for future opportunities. By engaging directly with students, employers demonstrated their commitment to building accessible and inclusive workplaces that recognise ability before disability.
With an energetic and successful opening day behind them, the delegates and partners look forward to another insightful and impactful day of engagement tomorrow as The Disability Workplace Readiness Summit continues to reduce employment barriers and forge lasting relationships between education, business and opportunity.
