MyZA

News, Directory, Events and Other Stuff

You are here: Home / News / Business / Riverlea Learners Get a Jumpstart on Their Careers

Riverlea Learners Get a Jumpstart on Their Careers

Excitement buzzed through the halls of Riverlea Secondary School this week as WesBank unveiled its FirstJob programme to eager Grade 12 learners from the classes of 2024 and 2025, building on the momentum of its Movers and Mentors initiative that was piloted with the school last year. Both initiatives demonstrate WesBank’s commitment to empowering South Africa’s youth and tackling the critical challenge of youth unemployment.

Since its inception in July 2018, the FirstJob programme has been a beacon of hope, providing a crucial bridge between education and employment. Designed to enhance employability, FirstJob offers a comprehensive one-year programme that combines meaningful work experience with targeted, work-related training.

This visit to Riverlea is a continuation of the Movers and Mentors programme, which saw 60 Grade 12 learners from the class of 2024 experience a transformative career guidance day at WesBank’s Fairland headquarters, led by the Bank’s CEO, Ghana Msibi, alongside other members of its senior leadership team and key role players. Now, WesBank is taking the next significant step, introducing the FirstJob opportunities to the school’s 2024 and 2025 matriculants.

Creating pathways to employment

Through the FirstJob project, WesBank aims to bridge the gap between education and employment by offering selected candidates:

  • A 12-month fixed-term contract with WesBank, providing exposure to the banking environment and essential workplace skills.
  • A fully accredited learnership, carefully selected by WesBank, to enhance each participant’s career prospects.
  • A monthly stipend, ensuring financial support while they gain experience.

Interested learners will go through an interview and screening process, with the programme officially commencing on 1 July 2025.

“Our goal is to equip young South Africans with the skills and experience they need to build successful careers,” said Ghana Msibi, CEO of WesBank. “By bolstering the impact of Movers and Mentors through the FirstJob programme, we are ensuring that learners not only gain exposure to career possibilities but also get a real opportunity to enter the world of work.”

WesBank encourages learners to take full advantage of this opportunity, as participants who complete the FirstJob programme gain valuable skills, industry-recognised qualifications, and an impressive CV that includes WesBank as a previous employer.

Category: Tag:

If you feel strongly about this article then feel free to send MyZA a ‘Letter to the Editor’ using the submission form below:

Letter to the Editor

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
If this is in response to an article please include that article title here or as the lead in for the first paragraph of your Letter below.

Separate tags with commas

Localise your letter by naming the city your words are about. Add relevant words describing your subject. Single comma separated words of no more than 5
Your Name(Required)
Your Name will be linked to the website below.
Your personal, business or social media web site
Choose NO to not set up a user account on MyZA. User Accounts will allow you to submit letters under your own Author Name

3 Latest Letters to the Editor:

  • Older Persons Grants Land Today — No Need to Queue at Dawn

    Dear Editor, Older Persons grants are paid today, 30 October, under SASSA’s revised November payment schedule — with disability grants on Monday 2 November, children’s grants on Tuesday 3 November, and grants under review on Thursday 5 November. Two things every beneficiary should know. First, grant money does not expire on payment day. It stays…

  • November Grants Pay Early – No Need to Queue at Dawn

    Dear Editor, I run SAGrant (sagrant.co.za), a free resource helping South Africans navigate SASSA grants. November grants pay earlier than usual. Older Persons grants are paid on Friday 30 October, Disability grants on 2 November, and Child Support and other grants on 3 November. Grants still under review are paid on 5 November. The money…

  • NSFAS 2027 applications close on 31 October — SASSA households, apply now

    Dear Editor, I run SAGrant (sagrant.co.za), a free resource helping South Africans navigate SASSA grants. NSFAS applications for the 2027 academic year close on Friday 31 October 2026, and no extension is expected. If your household receives a SASSA grant, your child already passes the NSFAS financial eligibility test — but they still have to…

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Since the fall of Apartheid South Africa has experienced rapid economic growth, and in recent years South Africa’s black middleclass has expanded. This group’s purchasing power is increasing, and the high and middle-income groups are expected to rise with the country’s economic growth.