Bridging the Gap: Why Businesses Should Invest in Graduate Programmes

By Eunéne Levine, CEO of Shaper – 09 October 2025

For many graduates in South Africa, the transition from university to the workplace is one of the most challenging steps in their careers. While academic achievement lays a strong foundation, employers often find that new hires lack practical workplace skills, hands-on experience, and industry exposure.

Structured graduate programmes are a solution to this gap, providing young professionals with the tools, mentorship, and real-world experience they need to thrive.

Why Graduate Programmes Matter

Graduate programmes bridge the divide between learning and doing. They give participants the chance to apply their knowledge, develop critical skills, and gain confidence in a professional environment.

For businesses, these programmes are more than just social responsibility,  they’re a strategic investment in talent. Companies that create or partner on graduate programmes see benefits that go beyond entry-level hiring.

The Business Case for Graduate Programmes

Investing in structured work readiness programmes provides measurable returns:

Partnering for Impact

Developing a graduate programme in-house can be resource-intensive. Partnering with experts like Shaper ensures that programmes are structured, accredited, and sustainable. Shaper helps businesses:

The Bigger Picture

Structured graduate programmes aren’t a temporary fix, they’re a strategic approach to workforce development. By investing in graduates, businesses can:

Take Action

Investing in graduate programmes is an opportunity to transform lives while building business value. Partnering with experts like Shaper makes this process seamless, measurable, and impactful. Contact Shaper today to explore how your business can develop a graduate programme that delivers real-world results, builds skills, and drives transformation.

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We develop future-ready professionals by equipping talent with in-demand skills and real-world experience to drive workforce growth and impact.

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