35 / 184
PPS Bursary Programme
The PPS Foundation’s bursary programme financially
supports tertiary students who display meritorious academic
capability and achievements. This programme is pitched at
full-time students in Science, Technology, Engineering and
Maths (STEM) studies, but we do consider students pursuing
other aligned professional qualifications at recognised South
African universities and tertiary technology institutions.
In 2017 the PPS Foundation awarded over 100 bursaries to
students placed at 17 of the country’s 26 public universities.
The Foundation’s recently gained PBO status significantly
broadens our fund-raising opportunities.
The number of bursaries awarded has increased over the years:
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
15
27
37
90
105
PPS Graduate Internship Programme
In 2017 we hosted 25 graduate interns, who underwent a
rigorous 12-month learning and development programme
while being posted throughout the group. Our 2018 graduate
recruitment campaign, titled #Why PPS, attracted an
impressive range of high calibre applicants.
This intake commenced in February and its 20 candidates were
placed throughout the Group.
Professionals Connect
In 2017 our graduate outreach portal, Professionals Connect,
launched an initiative to pair experienced professionals
with graduates in 10-month mentoring partnerships. In this
past year we initiated 11 pairings in fields such as chartered
accountancy, business analysis, law, human resources and
biotechnology. Mentors were drawn from within and outside of
the PPS membership base.
PPS also partnered with GetReady, which utilises an innovative
approach to mentorship by immersing unemployed graduates
in coaching, critical thinking and analysis while they solve
practical corporate case studies.
University Support Programme
The Foundation revised our University Support Programme
criteria to align all efforts to the PPS Foundation Trust’smandate.
During October and November 2017, the Foundation engaged
with faculty leadership to explore partnerships that will
positively impact students and are of national interest or
socio-economic relevance.
EMPLOYEE AND MEMBER VOLUNTEERISM
The Foundation works to mobilise PPS employees and
members to become hands-on involved in supporting our
corporate social responsibility (CSI) initiatives.
A notable project taken up by employee volunteers was
the #Caring4Girls initiative in partnership with Imbumba
Foundation, a non-profit organisation that collects and
distributes sanitary towels to disadvantaged school girls.
Consumer Financial Education
This year we piloted Consumer Financial Educationworkshops
to students
on select campuses across the country. These
were well received and helped sensitise students and their
universities to the PPS value proposition. The Foundation is
exploring a partnership with the Black Management Forum’s
Youth Chapter, which has begun spreading the word on
campuses where we are not yet physically present.
33