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CAT Work Readiness Programme

Twenty learners graduate from CAT Programme

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 11:50

It was a very proud moment for the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA), Fasset (the Seta for Finance, Accounting, Management Consulting and Other Financial Services) and ORT South Africa when the first tranche of twenty learners recently graduated from the five-week CAT Work Readiness Programme.

Addressing learners at their graduation, Head of ACCA South Africa, Nirri Nair, urged learners to find work that they loved. “Your work will fill a large part of your life.

The only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work.

The only way to do great work is to love what you do,” Nair observed.

She said learners had been given a wonderful opportunity “to go out there and make a difference”.

“ACCA was founded on the premise of giving opportunity where opportunity did not exist,” Nair reminded.

Isang Mabe, a candidate on the ACCA Professional Programme thanked ACCA for helping thousands of students worldwide: “I do not think many people are aware of the necessity of having such a programme.

People come from university with higher education and qualifications, but they are not yet ready for employment. Employers want people who are ready”.

Mabe said there were a number of reasons why he had chosen to study through ACCA.

“I chose ACCA because the syllabus is broad: it does not limit you to one sector within the finance industry.

We study auditing, tax, financial management and performance management.

Many of us do not want to limit ourselves to only one area.

We want to work in South Africa, but also recognise that companies in South Africa need to grow into the outside world.

If they have ACCA qualified personnel then they can send them overseas.

The support that we get from ACCA is amazing.

The work readiness programme is proof that ACCA supports its students,” he revealed.

Wilona Maswangamye hopes to complete the CAT programme this year. She then plans to complete the ACCA Professional Scheme.

“I chose ACCA because apart from the fact that ACCA is an internationally recognised accounting body, ACCA helps students to learn at their own pace,” she explained.

Wisani Baloyi, the recipient of the Best Student Award plans to finish CAT this year. He too plans to enroll for ACCA’s Professional Programme.

“ACCA is internationally recognized. It will be very useful for me to have such a qualification.

I really love South Africa.

Even if I go overseas, I will come back. I want to contribute to this country,” he informed.

Employers who are interested in employing graduates from the CAT Work Readiness Programme, or signing them onto learnerships can contact ORT SA Project Manager, Tracy Mayhew on 011 728 7154 or tracy@ortsa.org.za.