On Friday 4 September Beluluane Industrial Park hosted the third graduation ceremony for the Beluluane-Joba Internship Programme funded by UKAid and facilitated by Beluluane Industrial Park. The event was officiated by the Governor of Maputo Province, Júlio Parruque. He said that the BIP-Joba initiative is playing a pivotal role in the transfer of practical knowledge and skills to the young people in the province and is an important bridge to employment. More than 65% of the young people that have participated in the programme have secured permanent employment, continued their development in paid training programmes, or are self-employed.
A total of 84 participants graduated on 4 September, of which 33 were female and 51 male.
They completed their internships in 20 different companies both inside and outside of Beluluane Industrial Park.
The Governor complimented the UK government for its support in sponsoring the internship programme and asked that they continue to support similar programmes in future. He also applauded Beluluane Industrial Park for the initiative, which he called “unique”. The Governor further had the following messages for the graduates:
- To remain focused in developing their skills and professional capabilities. This will enable them to contribute to the development of the country and contribute to building local capacity. He referred to the example of Mozambique benefitting from local production of quality mask and sanitiser that are critically required during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
- He emphasised that, even those who work in other fields such as welding, must excel in the quality of their work. Maputo Province will have the capability to supply young talent to support the big projects in other provinces.
- Governor Parruque further pointed out that the Government prioritises the creation of employment opportunities for the young people and therefore the programme facilitated by Beluluane Industrial Park is a great example of an initiative that compliments Government efforts.
- He appealed to the graduates not to lose focus on their professional qualification and cited an example of a welder who went on to be vendor, setting aside the skills acquired in the professional internship.
- He reminded the graduates the need for continuous learning. He also inspired them to continue seeking knowledge and emphasised the importance of learning the English language which is relevant in the business environment.
Intern Aicha Abdulcadre Camussi receiving her certificate from the Governor.
General Manager of Beluluane Industrial Park Onório Manuel said that Beluluane Industrial Park is very proud to be part of a programme that promotes such great opportunity for the young people in Maputo province. “This is our main goal and part of our Corporate Social Responsibility mandate of helping the private sector to find talent”. He said that more than 500 young people have already entered the programme of which 40% are women. Further to practical experience, interns received work-readiness training in workplace ethics, communication and health and safety skills at BIP. “So many young people would like to have had this opportunity, therefore the graduates should value this opportunity that was given to them,” he said.
An appropriate and friendly greeting between Deputy High Commissioner for the
UK in Mozambique Alexandra Shephard and Beluluane Board Member Evaristo Madime.
Also in the photo is park General Manager Onório Manuel.
Group photo taken just after the certificate ceremony.
Companies operating within the industrial sector in Mozambique are now able to join the Beluluane JOBA Internship Programme in partnership with the Industrial Association of Mozambique (AIMO). Beluluane JOBA and AIMO signed a memorandum of agreement to offer participation in the practical internship programme to its large network of members. The trade association has been in existence for more than 30 years and represents more than 300 industrial entities (mining, salt production, cotton, metallurgy, chemicals, rubber, food and utensils).
According to Beluluane Chairman Adrian Frey this partnership will connect industrial companies with young talent. “There is a dire need for job creation especially during a time when the industrial sector is facing extreme difficulties,” he said. “We would like to see many more young people within paid positions by the end of this year.”
The internship programme was established in 2018 and has already seen 500 young Mozambicans successfully enter the workplace. It is administered by Beluluane Industrial Park and funded by the UK Aid. Young graduates are matched and placed within companies for 6 months, during which they get on-the-job training whilst earning a basic salary paid by the internship programme.
Companies may participate by signing an agreement with Beluluane JOBA in which they commit to the safety and productive learning environment to young graduates. They are expected to provide a learning plan and ongoing mentorship to participants while Beluluane JOBA is responsible for work-readiness training prior to their internships. This includes work ethics, communication, basic functional English, first aid, and health and safety skills.
AIMO President Rogério Samo Gudo said that the partnership with Beluluane JOBA will make an important contribution towards industry in Mozambique. Earlier this year, he called for a national fund to leverage the struggling industrial sector and has voiced his concern over the risk in job losses due to insufficient growth and the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. “This is an excellent opportunity and example of how industry is coming together in big and small ways,” he said. “We are inviting our members to join in this great programme and to show their commitment to developing a young and resilient industrial workforce”.
For more information, contact Ashleigh Tsuro at joba@beluluane.co.mz
