The South African Council for Graduates Cooperative (Sacgra) is calling for increased funding to expand its internship programmes and put more graduates through work experiences, says Sacgra executive chairperson Thamsanqa Maqubela.

Partners, founders and clients of Sacgra make it possible for the organisation to fund the internship programmes, work integrated learning programmes and candidacy programmes that lead to graduates obtaining work experience and finding employment.

He says Sacgra internships are for 12 months, while work-integrated learning programmes run for 18 months to 24 months. Candidacy programmes last 36 months.

Through the Fibre Processing and Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority (Seta), Sacgra has helped 260 beneficiaries. It has also helped 450 beneficiaries through the Food and Beverage Seta.

Through the Chemical Industries Seta, Sacgra has assisted 130 beneficiaries. The Services Seta made it possible for Sacgra to help 400 graduates, while the Construction Seta made it possible to help 200 graduates.

The Energy and Water (EW) Seta benefited 139 graduates, while the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Seta (merSeta) funded 400 beneficiaries.

With the funds made available to Sacgra, the organisation has been able to fund graduate stipends and other essentials to ensure it runs the programme successfully, says Maqubela.

“We are currently busy with the last three programmes [with the] Construction Seta, EW Seta and merSETA in ensuring that we add value,” he says.

“[looking at the money received] it is a drop in the ocean, compared to the need and demand of today. That is why I appeal to . . . employers and partners; let us do more, let us go beyond the stipends that we receive from the Setas,” says Maqubela.

“We would like [anyone interested] to join Sacgra as a partner, as a host employer, as a mentor . . . a supervisor,” he says.

Further, Maqubela also urged businesses bearing in mind the element of enterprise and supplier development to make available opportunities to provide experience for graduates by offering placements within their businesses.