Career Starter Weeks

The youth unemployment of Namibia, South Africa and Zambia are above 40% - this is far above the global average. The Career Starter Weeks (CSW) were created to address this and support graduates with the challenging start into their careers. The CSW are part of the B360 program "Southbound".

What is a CSW?

The CSW offers the unique opportunity to work with international and local professionals. Experienced experts from Europe invest time and know-how on a voluntary basis and teach at the partner universities in Namibia, South Africa and Zambia. The students gain valuable insights into the corporate world, get prepared for job interviews and their life as young professionals. They learn about the value of teamwork, including soft skills.

The focus in the CSW is on:
Personal branding and style development
Entrepreneurship and financial planning
Business plans and project management
Effective management and planning
Governance, compliance, and ethics
Personal coaching and feedback

The first CSW was held in 2017. As the name suggests, each CSW takes one week. We currently offer courses in Namibia, Zambia and South Africa.

Aims of the CSW

The goal of the CSW is to prepare young students for the job application process and the labor market. Their CVs and motivational letters are being screened, they get practice for job interviews, get to hold presentations and learn what it means to enter the job market. They get to know their strengths and motivations, get an understanding of how companies function and how to work in an organization. Furthermore, they get an insight into Entrepreneurship. The overall goal is to give them a much-needed competitive advantage in the job market.