1,200 Students with Disabilities Connect with Employers at Workplace Readiness Summit

The summit brought students face-to-face with more than 40 corporate organisations, creating opportunities to explore careers, gain workplace insights and build connections that could potentially lead to internships, learnerships and permanent employment.

The initiative aims to address one of the major barriers facing young people with disabilities: the transition from education into meaningful employment.

Through employer exhibitions, career guidance sessions, workplace readiness activities and networking opportunities, students were given practical insights into what to expect when entering the workplace and how to prepare for employment.

Participating organisations included Sanlam, L'Oréal South Africa, the Public Investment Corporation, Airports Company South Africa and Buhler Group, alongside other employers, recruiters, human resources professionals and business leaders.

The summit also provided employers with an opportunity to engage directly with students and gain a better understanding of inclusive recruitment practices.

Organisers said the event was designed to encourage employers to recognise the skills, resilience and diverse perspectives that people with disabilities bring to the workplace, while helping students build the confidence and knowledge needed to pursue career opportunities.

Sanlam, which sponsored the summit, said creating pathways into employment for people with disabilities is an important part of building a more inclusive workforce.

"At Sanlam, we believe that talent knows no barriers. We are proud to support initiatives that create meaningful pathways into employment for persons with disabilities and help build workplaces where everyone has the opportunity to thrive," said Sana-Ullah Bray, Group Executive: Human Capital at Sanlam.

The summit highlights the importance of connecting young people directly with employers, particularly at a time when securing a first job can be challenging for many graduates.

For the students who attended, the event offered more than career advice. It created an opportunity to meet potential employers, understand workplace expectations and begin building professional networks that could open doors beyond graduation.

As South Africa continues to work towards more inclusive workplaces, initiatives that connect education, business and young talent could play an important role in reducing barriers to employment for people with disabilities.