South African Property Review April-May 2020

Page 18

education

SAPOA Bursary Fund: Beyond the skills development and BBBEE points, real change awaits Over the years, the SAPOA Bursary Fund has shown tremendous growth and success in the work done to support deserving students with bursaries. These students are from a range of socioeconomic conditions with varied challenges, but through the support and contributions from member companies, their dreams are materialising – and that is real change

Some of the 2020 SAPOA Bursary Fund beneficiaries

T

he partnerships with past and present bursary contributors have led to a total of 62 graduates to date, 58% of whom are female. Eighty-three percent of them have been absorbed upon completing their studies – 82% by the property industry, and the variance by other industries. At the end of 2019, the pass rate increased to 91% as a result of the 18

mentoring programme that’s one of the support measures offered to students. Through the many bursary contributions made over the years, the industry has gained valuers, quantity surveyors and other professionals in various fields. True transformation isn’t just the in contribution made to the lives of these individuals, but in the change in the lives of their families: some of these

SOUTH AFRICAN PROPERTY REVIEW – APRIL 2020

beneficiaries are the first generation with not just a formal education but a university degree. Their participation benefits not only the property sector but also the economy as a whole – which is why continued support from the industry is essential. Beyond the compliance benefits, the private sector also has an opportunity to influence tertiary education and ensure


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