Company opens doors to show local learners career paths
Etex South Africa in Germiston marked Women’s Month with a programme aimed at exposing young women to careers in manufacturing and corporate support functions. The company welcomed five high school learners through the Take a Girl Child to Work Day initiative, offering a day of job-shadowing, safety briefings and mentorship.
The visit was structured to give the learners a practical view of roles across a global manufacturing company. Over the course of the day they met professionals from multiple departments, attended a company presentation and finished with a high tea that created space for networking and conversation about leadership and personal development.
- Departments visited: Personal Assistance, Marketing, Finance, Purchasing, Engineering, Production, Human Resources.
- Workplace induction: a safety briefing led by the company’s EHS manager.
- Senior involvement: the country manager and executive committee members personally welcomed the learners.
The programme began with refreshments and branded goodie bags, followed by a safety briefing delivered by Rumbi Muzondo, EHS manager. A company presentation outlining Etex South Africa’s operations, values and opportunities was given by Heidi Olivier, head of marketing. Leadership participation included Ruben Roach, country manager, and members of the executive committee.
“Through these interactions, they gained insight into different career paths, workplace expectations and the skills needed to build successful careers,” said Lindiwe Khoza, brand and communications manager.
The leaders who met the learners emphasised perseverance, hard work and seizing opportunities while pursuing education and careers. The afternoon high tea brought the learners together with female employees across the business for mentorship and discussions on leadership and personal development.
Local context and implications for Germiston
Germiston is an industrial node in Ekurhuleni with a mix of manufacturing and light industry. Initiatives such as Take a Girl Child to Work Day draw a direct line between schools and local employers, helping learners understand the range of available careers beyond stereotypical roles.
For learners, early exposure can clarify subject choices and post-school plans. For local employers, the programme provides a chance to showcase pathways into technical, production and corporate support roles that can be pursued through study, apprenticeships or entry-level positions. The presence of senior leaders during the visit also signals company commitment to talent development and community engagement.
| Element | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Safety briefing | Introduce workplace health and safety expectations |
| Department tours | Showcase career options and daily operations |
| High tea | Networking, mentorship and leadership conversations |
While the programme involved a small group of learners, its impact depends on follow-up: schools, parents and learners need clear pathways to convert interest into study choices, internships or workplace training. The company’s visible role in mentoring is a practical step, but sustained partnerships between industry and local schools would amplify the benefits.
For Germiston residents, initiatives like this are a reminder that local employers can play a role in career guidance and skills development. Learning about the variety of roles inside a manufacturing business — from engineering and production to finance and marketing — helps broaden expectations about where a young person’s career might start and grow.
By marking Women’s Month with both celebration and tangible workplace engagement, the Germiston operation of Etex South Africa combined recognition of female staff with a hands-on opportunity to inspire the next generation of women considering careers in industry.
