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A construction company advertising for IT interns is not what one would usually expect find on jobsites… Nonetheless, keeping our technology and computers well-oiled; ensuring communication and connectivity of our sites; leveraging our access and ability to utilise data; and keeping our internal (and external) clients happy, all contribute to Stefanutti Stocks delivering ‘excellence in execution’ across all levels of the organisation. A strong IT Department and skills are as essential to the construction environment as any other modern day industry, even more so in an age where digital delivery is becoming more the norm than the exception.
Our call for applications in was met with about 50 CVs, and a shortlist of potential candidates were first interviewed via Teams, before being invited for a face-to-face meeting. “As construction is essentially a people business, one of our key recruitment criteria was whether our interns would be able to communicate well, and would be able to work with a demanding internal clientele,” says Christi De Vos, Stefanutti Stocks Inland Shared Services IT Manager. “And although each of our interns has an IT or software related degree, it was actually their light hearted, positive and personable characters, good people skills and senses of humour that won us over during our interviews.”
Rudolph Macevele, Kitth Sibuyi and Tibani Hlongwane started their internship at Stefanutti Stocks in Johannesburg in August 2024 and will over the course of the year gain practical knowledge within an IT environment, while also gaining a broad understanding the vast industry, and perhaps some clarity of what specialty they would like to pursue in their careers. “We’re hoping that through this journey they will find out what they really want out of IT and know how they fit in the bigger picture of an organisation,” says Christi.
Rudolph Macevele graduated from the University of Limpopo with a Bachelor of Science in 2022, after majoring in Statistics and Computer Science. After some unsuccessful applications within the IT field, he began working as a butchers blockman, but kept his eyes open for opportunity within the field of his study. When he spotted the advert for IT interns at Stefanutti Stocks he applied, and even before being hired, says began dreaming of one day arriving on site in a four-by-four Ford Ranger, to find IT solutions…“There were many people that want to be part of Stefanutti Stocks, and somehow I think that we three were just meant to be ‘it’!” says Rudolph.
What was first day at work like?
“On my first day at work I unfortunately arrived at 09h30… This after testing the taxi route and time I should allow for traveling with my cousin, in person, the day before! Somehow I found myself at the taxi rank in Kempton Park and I was the first one inside a taxi coming back this way. I earned myself a nickname ‘MIA’ (missing in action) which has still stuck!”
What is your favourite thing about coming to work?
“I love being here. I like that I’m in a new role where I’m constantly getting new information. There is a big difference between what we learned at school and what we do. Each and every day we get to do something else, and build on the basic overviews we were taught. So, for me coming here is both an adventure and experience at the same time.”
What has made the greatest impression?
“From the outside you could think that the company is small, but from the inside…. Everything impresses me – I had no idea what to expect, but from the moment I arrived I liked everything. Now, every day I get to deal with different customers, and the different construction sites, that are really the IT departments clients. Sometimes our clients are impatient, but we never to show them any attitude – we are here to help them as best we can. What I find more challenging to deal with is if someone requires assistance that is outside of my current knowledge, and I do not know how help. Luckily I know the people I can channel these queries to, as if I can find a solution for somebody, it gives me that inner peace.
“A lot of things have changed in last weeks, and I feel like I am becoming an asset of the company. We have responsibility now for something, and each and every day we have to challenge ourselves, and do things. I think the three of us are creating an environment where we do everything as a team.
“I wish that one day we will be called not IT interns but IT employees… It’s written in the Cloud, and it’s my desire to stay here beyond…”
Kitth Sibuyi studied Information Technology at the Tshwane University of Technology and graduated in 2024. He says that although many people that he started with didn’t complete the course, it was still challenging to get an internship. He was excited to receive an email about an interview with Stefanutti Stocks and when he did some research was surprised to find out it was a construction company and wondered where he could fit in as an IT person…
What was first day at work like?
“It became clear to me that IT and technology is needed in construction. Construction starts as a dream or a thought, and this has to be visualised by putting the idea down, designing and editing it, printing it… Also, sites need to be able to communicate, to print, to have internet, wifi…”
What is your favourite thing about coming to work?
“I wasn’t expecting to gain so much information, in such a short space of time. The people who are giving me this experience are very good at it and are making me feel comfortable, and also help me to interact. I do enjoy people, but some can be a bit intimidating.
“Sometimes people ask questions, and most of the times I will try to answer to the best of my ability, with the information I have. If they require more information, I know to tell them that I will get back to them.”
What has made the greatest impression?
“Graduating was a very big moment, but comes second to when I first arrived here, I felt like a made it in life!
“The best thing is getting to know things that I didn’t know. I’m being exposed to the technology and starting to know what it is like in the industry. When I studied I specialised in communications and networks, and while I’m applying in practice what I learned in theory, it does make it easier and more understandable.
“The people here treat each other equally, and it doesn’t matter what position, the respect is always the same. I’m very impressed because I believe the company has our best interests at heart, before anything else. On top of that I feel like I’m home already.”
Tibani Hlongwane studied a BSc in Computational Applied Maths and worked learnerships and internships, but nothing materialised into a permanent position. Like Kitth he was puzzled that a construction company would offer IT internships, and visited the website where he saw that while Stefanutti Stocks does build data centres, there wasn’t much about IT. What did impress him was seeing that there are many people in the group that have long service awards, which to him meant that people grow within the organisation. “I was glad when I saw that – I was getting tired of applying and changing jobs while no one considered to take me on permanently. Maybe one day they will say ‘here is your permanent offer’! he says.
What was first day at work like?
“It was positive and I was made to feel very welcome. I learned about networking… which was an answered prayer as it is my weakness, and on the first day I was already being shown those ropes. Since then I have been involved with networking projects, and I’m actually thinking of doing a networking certificate.”
What is your favourite thing about coming to work?
“I love solving problems – when I walk into the office I want to solve a problem. The Helpdesk is challenging as the problems are different every day. Things are always changing and different, and I’m always learning, so it is not repetitive.
“When I decided to study a BSc, the end goal is so broad, and I often thought that I should have chosen a path from which you emerge with a specific career… Since I’ve come to here I’ve seen how physical evidence of what engineers study and it is inspiring me to grow. I want to impact the company, and, contribute my skills, especially after interacting with the Digital Transformation team.”
What has made the greatest impression?
“Number one… since arriving I noticed that the people were so friendly, it wasn’t clear who the boss is, and that was the most amazing thing ever. Sometimes you go to a company and you see someone who looks like a manager and feel that you shouldn’t talk to them, but the people are so friendly and approachable here. Number two, I like the job here – and hope that maybe one day I can utilise my data analysis skills. Number three, I really like the slogan ‘excellence in execution’. It is good to learn to always work towards the best!”
