What do we mean by “Career Academy”?

By putting the words “Career Academy” in our name, we remind ourselves every day why we exist. Every effort we make in the field of education is driven by our understanding of why people study in the first place; to find work, or improve their career prospects.

The more employment prospects one has, the higher salary one can expect.

We are a college, a tertiary institution – yet our goal is not simply the certificates or diplomas we issue at graduation ceremonies.  It’s much more than that.

Employment in South Africa

In South Africa, the fear of unemployment grips every South African. Even those with jobs fear the day that they will lose them. The South African national employment statistics may even discourage some people from looking for work.

Even those who are employed, fear looking for something better because they fear that they might fail.

And so – people remain in their situations forever, boxed in by a fear of failure or lack of confidence that life can get better.

Overconfidence in certificates / diplomas / degrees.

You’d probably never hear another college say this:

“Don’t expect a qualification to get you a job”.

How can anybody say that?

Here’s how: Once you’re invited for a job interview – that qualification loses all its power!  the other 5 – 10 candidates on the short-list, also have qualifications.  Suddenly you realise that your qualification was your ticket to the fight…. but now, can you fight?

Those who think that their qualifications will do the talking, stand no chance in the arena if they’re competing against a Qualitas student! No chance. None. Forget it.

Inspiring the confidence to expect a better life

So, what makes the the words “Career Academy” in our name so special?

Simply, students who come through our programmes, have not merely studied for the sake of a piece of paper – regardless of all it’s endorsements and accreditations.

Instead, a Qualitas student is exposed to career boosters, and value-adds that are deliberately designed to make students more competitive, and more successful in their job hunts. These features are provided over and above the actual qualification.

Our goal (and we’re getting it right)

We live by this creed: If there are 3 people sitting in the waiting room for an interview…. (let’s say, one from the red college, and another from the blue college) – the Qualitas graduate must be the more confident one every time.

And this isn’t just talk… it’s actually happening

At every graduation, we survey how well our students are doing. We’re always pleased to see the extremely high percentage (in fact the vast majority of our students) who qualified are already employed by the time they graduate. And those who studied part time mostly report that their salaries have increased.

When we see that – we smile because we know that we’re not just about education, we’re about careers. We are Qualitas Career Academy.

As for other colleges… well, they are simply that – other colleges.