Update September 2024
The second semester is off to a good start
Even though it might have seemed quiet around B360 over the summer, there was a lot of preparation, coordination, planning and course setting going on. We are now in the middle of the second semester 2024 and are pleased to provide you with an overview of our programs.
Northbound
Our interns from Namibia landed in Zurich on Sunday, September 1. They will spend the next three months working at the companies Cosanum, Motorex, SQTS (Migros) and Zweifel Chips & Snacks gaining important work experience.
We wish our four interns many educational hours, wonderful experiences, enjoyable adventures and a good time in Switzerland!
Southbound
Back in August, two experts traveled to Lusaka, Zambia, to conduct two Career Starter Weeks (CSW) at the University of Lusaka (UNILUS). The CSW have become increasingly important in recent years - during these weeks, participants receive very focused and practical preparation for the job market. In addition to gaining insights into the world of work, they are prepared for job interviews and develop ideas for a microbusiness to make the leap from student to employee or small business owner.
Two other experts will soon be starting a CSW in collaboration with Bank Windhoek in Namibia. This collaboration started in 2023 and has proven to be very successful and beneficial for all parties.
At the end of October, there will also be a pilot CSW at our partner university in South Africa. For the first time, it will be held at the Tertiary School in Business Administration (TSIBA) in Cape Town.
We are very pleased that in the second semester, we will be able to hold several CSW in all three countries.
The South-South
On August 21, a successful B360 networking event took place in Lusaka, Zambia. The host Sabina Balmer welcomed around 100 B360 alumni, partners, lecturers and national and international experts. Impressions of the event can be found here.
Virtual Internship program
The virtual internship program also started on September 1. Since the beginning of the month a total of six interns have been working on their internship projects for Bob Finance, Scenario X, ROBOTIST Group and B360. They will work on a specific project for 12 weeks before spending another 12 weeks in Zambia with a local company. We are delighted that MTN, Zanaco and Zicta are supporting our hybrid internship program.
The internship was preceded by various training courses, which the six graduates from Zambia completed. They received intensive ICT training, took part in the Career Starter Week at UNILUS and received training on topics such as office etiquette and data protection.
Virtual Interns 2023 - Special Award 2024
The six Virtual Interns of 2023 won the B360 Special Award for their outstanding performance - a two-week trip to Switzerland. This trip was very generously funded by the Staub Kaiser Foundation.
The six Zambians experienced many highlights and got to know Switzerland. Some of the stops on their tour included the cities of Zurich, Bern and Geneva, a visit to the B360 office in Zug, a visit to the Lindt chocolate factory and participation in the B360 annual event.
We would like to thank everyone who traveled with the six Zambians and showed them our country. The travel report with many photos can be found here.
Job Search Support Program
The JSS has been running since April 2024 - nine graduates from various fields of study qualified for it and were supported in their job search by three mentors from LGT and five private individuals. Thanks to the JSS, some great successes have been achieved: Among other things, one participant is able to do a 2-year graduate program at Bank Windhoek. A second participant is currently preparing for the admission of bar while working as an intern at the Ministry of Justice. A further two participants have since been offered permanent positions.
After the CSW in Namibia in October 2024, six to eight graduates who excel will be selected again and the JSS will enter the next round.
Outlook
All our programs are currently running. Further assignments and internships are being planned at the same time. The recruitment for the Northbound interns for February 2025 has already been completed. A total of 9-11 internships will be carried out at the partner companies Bank Julius Baer, Buechi, LGT (Switzerland and Liechtenstein) and Mediaschneider.
We are currently looking for host families:
Would you like to become part of our Northbound program? We are looking forward to hearing from you.
We look forward to sharing news and updates from B360 with you again soon.
Best regards,
Sabina Balmer and the B360 team
PS: Did you know that B360 education partnerships is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year?
