WITH the youth unemployment rate reaching dismal heights in 2019, Isuzu is partnering with tertiary institutions to help get students ready for the workplace.
Isuzu dealerships are taking the lead in providing work-based internships, and one such an example is Isuzu Truck World in Kempton Park, Johannesburg.
For the first time this year Isuzu Truck World – a proud retailer of bakkies, trucks and SUVs – hosted students studying towards a Diploma in Marketing and Business Management at the Department of Marketing and Sports Management, Vaal University of Technology.
The purpose of the internship, for the third-year students from the Daveyton Campus, was to expose the students to real life business activities to apply their theoretical knowledge and experience working environment and its challenges and how we overcome them.
Eight students participated in a two-month internship, which started in April, and they reported to the dealership twice a week to assist with customer retention, sourcing new customers and proactively building onto Isuzu Truck World’s customer base.
Isuzu Truck World Customer Relations Officer Kgomotso Ramakgwakgwa said thus far the students have come up with good ideas that could benefit the dealership.
“Amongst other things the students also did follow-ups with our customers based on historical data to discuss their aftersales and service options with them,” said Ramakgwakgwa.
Intern Ronny Palane said he found the internship very rewarding because he gained exposure to the practical business environment.
“Among the things I learnt have been how to handle customers and how to communicate as a team to work towards the same common goal. I also learnt that location is one of the key components of increasing sales,” said Palane.
Isuzu Truck World boasts a large and exceptionally efficient workshop with drive-through capabilities to service the needs of their bakkie, truck and mu-X customers within speedy turnaround times.
From ensuring a fully stocked parts department to providing product expertise within a comfortable environment, every facet of the business is focused on ensuring superior customer service.
