University students no longer think technology companies are great places to work, leaning to government, parastatals and consulting firms as the more attractive employers.
Professionals, however, still rank Google and Microsoft as attractive, according to Universum’s annual Most Attractive Employer Awards 2016.
Every year Universum Global conducts research across the world, including South Africa. In 2015, the company interviewed more than 45 000 tertiary institution students as well as about 21 000 professionals in the following sectors: business/commerce; engineering/technology; healthcare/health sciences/sciences ; and humanities/liberal arts/law.
This year’s research shows that even with fears around economic instability still a concern (67% of the students are concerned about their prospects of finding a job after graduating), most students are looking for opportunities that include leadership opportunities and professional training and development, with these traits being the most preferred attributes that drive employer attractiveness.
South African professionals voted the following companies are the most attractive employers:
* Business/Commerce/Management – Google; South African Breweries (SAB); and Investec.
* Engineering/Technology – Google; Microsoft; and Eskom.
* Sciences – Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR); Department of Science and Technology (DST); and Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF).
* Law – Department of Justice (DoJ&CD); National Prosecuting Authority (NPA); and Legal Aid.
Students selected the following as their most attractive employers:
* Business/Commerce/Management – KPMG; Deloitte; and Transnet.
* Engineering/Technology – Transnet; Sasol; Eskom.
* Sciences – CSIR; DAFF; Sasol.
* Law – Webber Wentzel Attorneys; DoJ&CD; and Legal Aid.
Most attractive employers in SA
