Phase one
Phase one: Find & Partner with Employers - Securing Demand
Your WIL programme won’t work without employer partners. Your objective is to show businesses that you will solve a real problem for them.
How to Do It
Target the right sectors:
Start with industries that have huge demand for entry-level tech talent, like financial services, telecommunications, retail with digital operations including e-commerce, and government departments with digital transformation needs.
Build a compelling pitch:
Your value proposition is clear; you reduce their risk and cost. You handle the recruiting, management, and HR overhead of junior talent. They get a managed service that delivers real work on their projects.
Be flexible:
Offer different programme lengths (6, 9, or 12 months) to suit different employer needs and budgets.
DigiLink case study
DigiLink in Action
DigiLink focused on major banks and financial institutions and worked within the motor industry too, which had clear, quantifiable demand for entry-level roles in software testing, development, and data analytics.
They learned that getting through bank procurement processes is difficult and can take months. Their pro-tip? Aim for long-term agreements to avoid going through this process every single year.
Employer engagement and contracting
Employer must present a real business need for. hiring young people
DigiLink required a minimum of 5 and max of 50
Employer agrees to pay a cost recovery fee per person per month
Employer is ready to have young people work on real business tasks in their area of expertise/learning (10-month delivery)
Business tasks can vary in difficulty and duration
The business requirements for the role must be very clearly described to ensure effective matchmaking between available candidates and internships
Employer is ready to sign a contract for 12 months
Tools and templates
Key Tools You’ll Need
Employer Proposal Template
Partner (Employer) Enablement Value Proposition
Partner (Employer) Due Diligence Checklist
Lessons from the Field
Find like-minded partners.
Look for businesses that care about social impact and transforming South Africa’s employment landscape. It makes the partnership smoother.
Dedicate a business development lead.
This is not a part-time job. You need someone focused solely on building these client relationships.
Manage multiple stakeholders.
You may have to persuade several business units within one company. This requires patience and excellent stakeholder engagement skills.