Cummins Power Generation Starts Careers Day at School in South Africa

Cummins Power Generation in South Africa has partnered with a school in the disadvantaged Ivory Park area of Johannesburg to deliver a Careers Day for 370 students. A team of 25 Cummins personnel, led by Alok Joshi, Director of Power Generation Business, Africa, presented career options in engineering, science, human resources, law, logistics, marketing, education, basic skills, finance, engineering and technical apprenticeships.

Ivory Park Secondary School was one of the top performing schools in the whole of Gauteng province, but learning conditions at the school have recently declined, leading to poorer results in final year examinations. Violence and drug abuse in the community are just two of the adverse factors affecting student performance.

Preparatory visits ahead of the Careers Day helped to engage with the school and assess needs. The Cummins Power Generation graduates who would lead the sessions complied a student information pack, which covered courses available at South Africa’s universities and how to apply for funding.

The Careers Day itself took place on September 29. Students were addressed by University of Johannesburg Marketing Communications Manager Lesego Legoete, who had helped prepare the information pack. Cummins Power Generation employees gave the careers presentations, augmented by a number of Cummins Power Generation executives. Kenny Gaynor, Energy Solutions Business and Projects Director, gave an introduction to Cummins. Further senior contributors were Vertical Segments Director Eric Flechet, Market Strategy and Planning Manager Faith Mbabazi and General Manager – Components Sales Robin Kuriakose.

Commenting on how lively and interactive the sessions had been, and how well the students had absorbed the knowledge they were given, School Principal Mrs Edith Mamosebo said: “We wish Cummins could make this an annual event!” Student President Jennifer Khosa added: “I would like to thank Cummins for taking time to spend the day with us. This was a life-changing moment for me and I am sure for the other students too as I now know exactly what I want to study and how to go about it.”