As South Africa marks International Youth Day on 12 August, creating opportunities for young professionals remains one of the country’s greatest priorities. While youth unemployment continues to present significant challenges, the need for skilled engineers, quantity surveyors, architects and infrastructure specialists has never been greater.

For AECOM South Africa, addressing these two realities requires more than simply creating jobs. It requires investing in people, equipping graduates with the technical expertise, professional confidence and practical experience they need to build rewarding careers while helping to deliver the infrastructure that communities depend on.

This year, AECOM in South Africa launched its Graduate Development Programme, a structured initiative designed to support graduates as they transition from university into the professional consulting environment.

The programme complements AECOM’s long-established Candidacy Programme, which continues to successfully support aspiring professionals on their journey towards professional registration. Together, the programmes create a comprehensive development pathway that supports graduates from their first day in the workplace through to becoming registered professionals and future industry leaders.

Supporting the next generation of professionals

Graduate development initiatives play a vital role in bridging the gap between academic learning and professional practice. “Graduates need more than technical knowledge to succeed in today’s workplace. They also need professional confidence, communication skills, business awareness and the ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams,” says Senika Devsheel, EC Human Resources Ops Director at AECOM, South Africa.

AECOM’s commitment to talent development extends far beyond a graduate programme. Through bursaries, the AECOM Educational Trust, educational assistance, continuous learning opportunities, the Graduate Development Programme and the Candidacy Programme, the company supports individuals throughout their professional journey.

“Collectively, these initiatives reflect our belief that investing in people is one of the most meaningful ways we can contribute to addressing South Africa’s skills shortage while building a sustainable pipeline of future professionals,” comments Senika.

A programme built for long-term success

While the Graduate Development Programme focuses on helping graduates successfully transition into the workplace, the Candidacy Programme provides the structured technical experience, mentoring and guidance required for professional registration.

The distinction is intentional. The Graduate Development Programme develops professional behaviours, communication, collaboration, commercial awareness and broader business skills, while introducing graduates to AECOM's culture and multidisciplinary way of working. The Candidacy Programme then builds on this foundation by supporting graduates as they work towards registration with their respective professional bodies.

This integrated approach ensures graduates develop not only the technical competence required for their professions, but also the leadership and interpersonal skills needed to succeed as consultants and future leaders.

Learning through real-world experience

For Jesse Plaatjes, a Candidate Mechanical Engineer based in Durban, the programme has transformed the transition from university into professional practice. Having graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Wright State University in the United States, Jesse joined AECOM seeking an environment where he could learn from experienced professionals while working on meaningful projects.

“The Graduate Development Programme has allowed me to integrate my theoretical knowledge with actual projects under the guidance of an experienced team,” says Jesse. Exposure to complex data centre projects and the opportunity to contribute to a fire engineering project have expanded both his technical knowledge and confidence.

“I have never felt out of my depth because my team is committed to my development and always provides the support and guidance I need. Through their mentorship, I have grown exponentially in just a few short months,” says Jesse.

Growing through collaboration

For Chulekazi Kalipa, a Candidate Quantity Surveyor specialising in Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire (MEPF), the programme’s collaborative environment has been equally valuable. Having completed both her BSc in Construction Studies and BSc Honours in Quantity Surveying at the University of the Witwatersrand, she says beginning her career alongside fellow graduates created an invaluable support network.

“Having a peer network makes the adjustment much smoother because we learn from one another, share experiences and grow together while experiencing many career milestones for the first time,” says Chulekazi.

Working on complex international infrastructure projects has accelerated her development, while experienced colleagues have helped build her confidence. “Their willingness to share knowledge and provide constructive feedback has given me the confidence to think creatively, take initiative and continuously develop my skills,” says Chulekazi.

Investing in South Africa’s future

For AECOM, success is measured not only by the infrastructure it helps deliver, but by the people it develops. The company’s ambition is to build a sustainable pipeline of future talent that strengthens both the organisation and South Africa’s broader engineering and infrastructure sector.

By investing in education, graduate development, professional registration and continuous learning, AECOM aims to create opportunities for talented young South Africans while helping address the country’s critical skills shortage.

As International Youth Day highlights the importance of empowering young people, initiatives such as AECOM's Graduate Development Programme demonstrate how long-term investment in talent can benefit individuals, businesses and communities alike.

For graduates like Jesse and Chulekazi, the programme represents more than a first job. It is the beginning of careers built on learning, mentorship, collaboration and the opportunity to make a lasting contribution to South Africa's future infrastructure.