BSE and PnP invest in education

Mariselle Stofberg

The Business School of Excellence (BSE) awarded two bursaries to learners who finished grade 12 in 2019 and are currently completing their practical learning, as part of their studies at BSE, at Pick n Pay Namibia (PnP).

Both learners received a full scholarship that covers all costs related to their studies at BSE. This includes programme registration, study materials and textbooks, contact sessions, examinations and access to training videos on the student platform in the event they cannot participate in one or more of the contact sessions.

Lorandré de Klerk, who matriculated from Windhoek High School, is pursuing a degree in project management and Simorné Januarie, who matriculated from Academia Secondary School, is completing her studies in project management.

“We relied on the input from the respective schools before choosing the two students. BSE visited many schools in 2019 to determine which learners were interested in pursuing a career in wholesale and retail, or transport and logistics, as these are the areas that BSE specialises in,” said Fanie Oosthuizen, the chief operations officer at BSE.

The partnership between PnP and BSE came about as a result of the convergence of core values and the purpose of the two organisations. O&L’s purpose is ‘Creating a Future, Enhancing Life’ and BSE’s is to ‘Unlock Dreams, Futures and Prosperity’.

The learners will now have the opportunity to gain much-needed work experience and exposure whilst completing their practical training at PnP.

“I am so excited and grateful for this opportunity offered by PnP and BSE and know that this will help me create a bright future for myself,” said De Klerk.

Oosthuizen said BSE realised that they not only share a common purpose with PnP, but also “live the same values of not being followers, but rather being pioneers and build a competitive, competent, skilled and knowledgeable Namibia”.

Oosthuizen believes that a holistic approach towards student development is going to be one of the key factors for Namibia to achieve its dream of becoming a knowledge-based and developed society – the aim of the national vision.

“Gaining some insight into what the workplace will entail provides valuable knowledge to learners to better prepare themselves for their future after they have completed their studies,” said Januarie.

“We are honoured to be part of this initiative where we can provide a practical learning opportunity to two young and vibrant students who are beginning to craft their futures for themselves. There is a massive need for more practical learning opportunities such as apprenticeships and internships amongst the youth in Namibia to acquire the necessary practical skills and knowledge that will assist them in becoming more employable,” said Adri Erwee, the human capital manager at PnP.

Erwee further mentioned that PnP is excited about the initiative and aims to offer more opportunities such as this to the Namibian youth in the near future.

BSE trusts that, in their partnership with PnP, they can create two ambassadors for the wholesale and retail industry showing their peers that there are many exciting career opportunities in the industry.