Master classes enhance students' academic skills and career opportunities

The Unisa Supply Chain Management Section within the Department of Applied Management in the College of Economic and Management Sciences (CEMS), in collaboration with SAPICS, recently hosted an online MiniMaster Class Series during the 2026 first semester to strengthen student employability through industry engagement.

The sessions addressed a critical question facing students and early-career professionals: How to effectively showcase developing skills in ways that employers can recognise and value.

Founded in 1966, SAPICS is a leading professional body dedicated to elevating, educating, and empowering the supply chain community across South Africa and the African continent. As a registered non-profit organisation, the organisation reinvests its resources into the development of individuals and organisations within the supply chain management profession.

The MiniMaster Class Series forms part of a registered engaged scholarship project aimed at bridging the gap between academic learning and industry expectations. By focusing on practical employability touchpoints such as professional branding, curriculum vitae (CV) development, and interview readiness, the initiative aligns with CEMS’ strategic focus on digital engagement and industry collaboration.

The first session titled “LinkedIn like a pro: How to make your soft skills stand out in a digital crowd”, was delivered by Marius Greeff, Africa’s only LinkedIn Certified Marketing Expert. Greeff emphasised the importance of building a professional identity early, encouraging students to actively shape their personal brands while still studying. “Your professional brand already exists, the question is whether you are shaping it intentionally,” he noted.

Greef further challenged students to rethink their readiness, stating that building a LinkedIn presence should begin immediately, not after graduation. According to him, students who actively engage online, connect with alumni and participate in industry conversations, therefore, they position themselves ahead of their peers when entering the job market.

Chantal Kading

The second session titled “From soft skills to shortlist: Letting your CV and interview skills do the talking”, was presented by Chantal Kading, Founder and Managing Director of The People Shop and Peak Performance Africa. Drawing on more than two decades of experience, she provided practical strategies for translating academic knowledge and soft skills into compelling CV content and interview responses.

Kading also highlighted the dual importance of education and continuous learning, noting that while qualifications open doors, sustained career growth depends on ongoing skills development. She encouraged students to embrace lifelong learning, emphasising that adaptability and continuous upskilling are essential in today’s evolving job market.

The sessions were widely promoted to departmental stakeholders, including CEMS’ students, Unisa alumni, and industry professionals through LinkedIn. Both sessions reached full capacity, with 1 000 participants per session, recording strong attendance rates. This level of engagement reflects the growing demand for practical, industry-aligned learning opportunities. Such platforms further reinforce the value of partnerships such as that between Unisa and SAPICS.

Through initiatives such as the MiniMaster Class Series, CEMS continues to position itself as a leader in responsive, digitally enabled education, equipping students not only with academic knowledge, but also with the tools to thrive in a competitive labour market.

Click here to watch session one of the series.

Click here to watch session two of the series.

* By Letitia Marcantuono, Lecturer, Department of Applied Management and Tebogo Mahlaela, Communication and Marketing Specialist, College of Economic and Management Sciences