In an initiative designed to connect academic learning with practical workplace experience, the University of South Africa (Unisa), through the College of Law’s, School of Criminal Justice and Department of Criminology and Security Science, has launched its first Workplace Experiential Programme (WEP) in partnership with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA). This initiative marks an important step in the Department's commitment to enhancing graduate employability and contributing meaningfully to the national agenda of youth skills development and unemployment alleviation.

Through a formal Letter of Intent signed between Unisa and PSIRA, 15) students have been placed within the Law Enforcement Division at PSIRA regional offices in Gauteng, the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the Free State. During the 12-month programme, students will work alongside PSIRA inspectors, gaining practical experience directly aligned with their studies in Criminology and Security Science. The programme enables them to apply their theoretical knowledge in real-world settings while strengthening their professional competencies and readiness for the labour market.

Support for students

Prof Mfari Budeli- Nemakonde and acting Chief Operating Officer, Mrs Jeanette Viljoen during the signing ceremony of the letter of intent

Recognising the financial challenges often faced by students, PSIRA has committed to supporting participants through a monthly stipend of R4 836.80 to assist with transport and meal expenses. In addition, each student received a once-off transport allowance of R1 500. The total investment in the 2026/2027 Workplace Experiential Programme amounts to R893 124.00, reflecting PSIRA's commitment to skills development, student support and graduate employability.

Responding to unemployment challenges

The initiative extends beyond the 15 participating students. It represents a practical response to the challenge of graduate unemployment by creating pathways to meaningful workplace experience, one of the key requirements for employability. It also strengthens collaboration between academia and industry, helping to ensure that graduates develop the practical skills and competencies required by employers.

The impact of this initiative extends beyond the 15 participating students. It represents a practical response to graduate unemployment in South Africa by creating pathways to meaningful workplace experience, one of the key requirements for employability. It also strengthens collaboration between academia and industry, helping to ensure that graduates develop the practical skills and competencies required by employers.

Discussions have already begun on the possibility of offering permanent employment opportunities to some of the participants after successful completion of the programme. These discussions reflect the shared commitment of Unisa and PSIRA to developing skilled graduates and creating sustainable career pathways for young professionals. It is hoped that the success of this inaugural cohort will create similar opportunities for future students and further strengthen collaboration between the University and industry.

some of the students chosen for the programme

Speaking at the launch and Letter of Intent signing ceremony, the Executive Dean of the College of Law, Prof Mpfari Budeli-Nemakonde, expressed appreciation to PSIRA for investing in Unisa students and reaffirmed Unisa’s commitment to producing graduates equipped to address the skills challenges facing the security industry.

Bridging the gap between academia and industry

“The launch of this inaugural programme provides an opportunity for 15 of our students to gain invaluable workplace exposure within PSIRA's Law Enforcement Division across various provinces. Through this experience, our students will be able to apply the knowledge and skills acquired through their studies while developing the professional competencies required to thrive in a dynamic and demanding work environment,”,said Prof Budeli-Nemakonde.She added that, as a distance-learning institution, Unisa continuously seeks innovative ways to bridge the gap between academic learning and workplace readiness.

“This Workplace Experiential Programme is an important response to this imperative. It not only enhances graduate employability but also contributes towards addressing one of South Africa's most pressing challenges – youth unemployment. By investing in experiential learning opportunities, we are collectively empowering young people to participate meaningfully in the economy and society.

“We are especially grateful to PSIRA for its substantial investment in learner support through the provision of stipends and transport allowances. This commitment reflects a shared understanding that financial barriers should not prevent deserving students from accessing opportunities that enhance their education and future career prospects. Such support embodies the principles of inclusivity, social justice and student-centredness that underpin the mission of our institution,” concluded Prof Budeli-Nemakonde.

The Dean congratulated the inaugural cohort of 15 students on their selection and encouraged them to embrace the opportunity with integrity, commitment, discipline and professionalism.

The Letter of Intent is expected to extend beyond work-integrated learning, creating opportunities for future collaboration in research, professional development, capacity building and initiatives that strengthen the private security profession.

Transformative approach to Education

The Acting Chief Executive Officer of PSIRA highlighted the importance of the partnership, noting that it provides students with an opportunity to enter the private security industry. She explained that they were joining an organisation responsible for regulating more than three million registered security officers and described the initiative as a transformative approach to education that strengthens graduate employability. She added that the collaboration with Unisa supports the objectives of the Skills Development Act and contributes to government's efforts to address unemployment.

Representing the students, Miss Sphiseihle Nefari thanked Unisa and PSIRA for the opportunity they had been given and noted that each participant had already been assigned a mentor.

It had, she said, been a great experience being mentored by PSIRA. She added that the students had learnt the importance of conducting themselves with integrity and had been taught to communicate professionally.

“After this learnership,” Miss Nefari said, “we will study further, as our mentors have advised us to.”

Dr Tinyiko Ngobeni, Chair of the Department of Criminology and Security Science, encouraged the students to make the most of the opportunity and to continue with their studies. He outlined the available study pathways, from National Diploma to PhD level.

RPL Pathway

He also noted that the security industry presents significant opportunities for the existing workforce to benefit from the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process, helping to address the skills and knowledge gaps among the more than three million registered security officers in South Africa.

*By Ngwako Mokgotho Communications and Marketing Specialist, College of Law