Windhoek: Retail chain Choppies Group on Tuesday launched its graduate programme in Namibia, aimed at bridging the gap between academic learning and industry requirements and developing young professionals in the retail sector.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the programme, which has been running successfully in Botswana for five years, will now be implemented locally through partnerships with Triumphant College and the International University of Management (IUM). Speaking at the launch, Choppies Group Head of Human Resources, Molatedi Kgotla noted that the programme is more than a recruitment drive, describing it as a ‘long-term investment in the future of our business and the youth of Namibia.’
He said over the next 12 months, selected graduates will rotate through key areas of the business, including store operations, supply chain management, ICT, finance, and customer service. Kgotla said the programme is designed to nurture potential and develop leadership skills among participants.
‘This initiative addresses a common concern among employers that fresh graduates are often not ready for the world of work. Through this programme, we are shaping a workforce that is ready, capable, and future-focused,’ he said. The HR head further noted that Choppies is in talks with its Namibian partners to introduce an exchange programme, allowing its graduates to gain cross-border experience in Botswana, where the company was founded.
Choppies currently operates over 110 stores in Botswana, employing more than 6,000 people, and has expanded to Namibia and Zambia with 23 and 30 stores respectively. The rector of Triumphant College, Geoffrey Kiangi, welcomed the collaboration, stressing that partnerships between academia and industry are critical in addressing youth unemployment, by providing practical exposure and enhancing employability.
‘We are providers of knowledge, and we have seen the social unrest amongst the Gen Zs all over the world. If we do not engage young people productively, we face a ticking time bomb,’ said Kiangi, urging other institutions to adopt similar models.