SAIGA LAUNCHES INITIATIVE TO INSPIRE KIDS TO VIEW AUDITING AS VIABLE CAREER OPTION

ACADEMY:Take-a-Child-to-work programme targets schoolkids studying business subjects

By Staff Reporter

The Public Sector Accountancy and Audit Academy (PSAAA) held its first take a child to work initiative in Centurion, north of Johannesburg, to celebrate this year’s Youth Month, on Tuesday 15.

PSAAA is the training academy of the Southern African Institute of Government Auditors (SAIGA).  The launch took place at the PSAAA head offices, with grade 10 and 11 learners in business and accounting subjects from Masiqhakaze and Olievenhoutbosch Secondary Schools, in Centurion

Russell Morena, SAIGA’s Chief Executive Officer, said the educational initiative is a collaborative act of volunteerism, aimed at encouraging corporates in South Africa to empower and provide guidance to school pupils on career development.

He said the initiative will also support the self-development of the learners, and expose young people to careers in the public sector.

Alluding to the current stats by the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) of the 1st quarter of 2021, he said it shows that there is a shortage of young people working in the government sector.

PSAAA adhered to government safety regulations during the Covid-19 pandemic and all Covid-19 precautions were observed, but going forward this initiative will take the form of a virtual workshop in order to accommodate more learners and schools to participate, he said.

Morena said SAIDA is proud to have been able to launch this initiative this year, despite the trying times we all live under.

“The Take A Child To Work Day initiative is an important agent for change in South Africa’s work places, promoting equality and empowerment,” he says.

• Learners were put through their paces by Registered Government Auditor (RGA) professionals covering numerous topics including Accounting, Finance, Business and Information Technology.

• The learners also engaged with the RGA professionals to gather an understanding of a day in the life of an auditor in the public sector.

•  They also had an opportunity to engage with employees of PSAAA and SAIGA.