The WPP Africa Academy will help enable WPP companies across Africa access to high quality, relevant and cost-effective training programmes for their agency people.
“Through the Academy, we will be upskilling and accelerating our existing talent, as well as creating opportunities to develop young talent,” says Nouli Kousiakis, operations manager at Grey Africa.
The agency’s young talent development programme offers workplace exposure to unemployed, qualified individuals in line with their field of study and career aspirations- within the marketing and advertising industry.
“The programme consists of structured training, learnership and internship programmes which are vital to holistic career development whilst also assisting young people in making the most of their unique talents. We are also pleased to be introducing a bursary programme as well,” says Kousiakis.
Paul Jackson, group managing director at Grey Africa says; “Firstly, as part of the beneficiaries of this distinguished initiative, we are very pleased to have the WPP Academy roll out in our region. Talent investment is an important aspect of management and key for company growth and increased productivity.”
Jackson continues; “While we aim to encourage the advancement of skills and knowledge transfer within the agency, we are also advocates of young talent development. We value the unique perspective young individuals bring to the workplace especially with the constant wave of change that characterises popular culture in our industry. In seizing this opportunity, we are pleased to be in a position that also enables us to address the societal issue of unemployment in our country.”
Over the years, Grey Africa has opened its doors to students who needed practical agency exposure as part of their tertiary curriculum requirements. The agency has also offered internship programmes which have secured permanent hires within its various disciplines.
The young talent development programme has quickly filled up and applications for 2016 have been closed.
“We believe that the programme –through fostering quality education, will be a vital aid in strengthening young talent and unlocking numerous opportunities,” concludes Jackson.