The Businesswomen’s Association (BWA) and Nelson Mandela University are taking the term “dress for the job you want literally” with their collaborative project, “Working Wardrobe”.
The “Working Wardrobe” CSI Project aims to provide students in need with professional attire and accessories or interviews and/or networking opportunities, thereby adequately assisting students in their work-readiness journey, by helping them get “Suited2BRecruited”.
The clothes and accessories for the working wardrobe project are provided by donors such as BWA members and local retailers. Preloved items have to meet strict guidelines to be added to inventory.
“What we are doing with this project is transformative. When we co-construct as a University, we collaborate with our partners in a way that honours everyone, so as to advance the agenda towards a more just society.” Dr Bruce Damons, Director: Engagement & Collaboration at Nelson Mandela University.
For this project, the BWA Gqeberha branch has also initiated a Strategic Partnership with the Walmer ParkShopping Centre, for the sponsorship of needed equipment for the CSI project, housed at the Nelson Mandela University Career Services South Campus offices.
“We are pleased and proud to be associated with like-minded and like-hearted institutions such as the Nelson Mandela University and the Walmer Park Shopping Centre. This partnership carries the principles of co-learning and co-creating solutions to better respond to the pressing needs of the student community.” Lee-Anne Vasi, Chairperson of the BWA Gqeberha Branch.
Professor Andre Keet, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Engagement & Transformation at Nelson Mandela University spoke at the launch of the event emphasising that the project was about more than just clothes.
“The empowerment project we are launching today is not simply tied to work readiness. In essence, it is a project that advances human dignity and human recognition, with other spin-off benefits related to work readiness, career advancement and so forth. We see it as a project that has immense value and potential, much further than the eye can see. May the project and partnership grow from strength to strength,” he said.
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