JHI Properties helps fresh talent gain entry into the commercial property industry by providing them with invaluable skills and experience.
Successes of the mentorship programme
Part of the Excellerate Property Services group, this comes as no surprise with JHI Properties having achieved a level 3 BBBEE status scoring in excess of 65% against the five-year Property Charter targets. Managing director Nomzamo Radebe sheds light on the success of JHI Properties’ mentorship programme: “At any given moment we have 30 to 40 learners and interns, mainly from previously disadvantaged backgrounds, who receive practical experience and mentoring within the organisation. Most of these become employed within our organisation after the year of practical training, while others find employment within the industry. Last year we also took on a group of interns from the South African Property Owners Association (SAPOA), who spent several weeks at JHI Properties, benefiting from mentoring and hands-on experience.
“We welcome enthusiastic new talent into our organisation to share this knowledge. We believe they can benefit considerably by experiencing first-hand what we do as it will stand them in good stead in their future careers. We encourage a work ethic infused with mutual co-operation and mentorship. In other words, this is very much an inclusive team effort,” says Radebe.
Property industry mentorship fostering entrepreneurs
At JHI Properties, human resources plays a key role in development of staff, including women and gender empowerment, through a variety of training initiatives at all levels, and the organisation focuses on skills transfer, learner and mentorship and employment equity, as well as helping foster entrepreneurs who seek to enter the property industry.
Job opportunities after property industry mentorship
Kgodisa Training Academy is a learning institution that provides National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level 4 courses. These are registered with the Services Sector Education and Training Authority (SSETA), and were the first to provide SETA-accredited training for the recently introduced Facilities and Property Management Diploma, which is also an NQF level 4 qualification. In addition to furthering the professionalisation of the property industry and enabling valuable skills transference, once obtained, this new qualification will enable applicants to enter the property industry as a portfolio manager or facilities manager. For those already in the industry it will enable them to enhance their skills and broaden their careers, while adding value to the services offered by the property management sector. The Kagiso Training Academy is also part of the Excellerate Property Services group.
Property industry mentorship for the previously disadvantaged
Adds Radebe: “We will continue to play a role in assisting those from previously disadvantaged backgrounds enter the property industry and further their careers, and also continue to contribute to a changed perception in the industry towards women in the workplace. Currently, our workforce comprises approximately 60% women.”
