Shoprite Group launches innovative digital recruitment platform to boost local job availability
CAREERS
As the Shoprite Group continues to lead the way in uplifting communities through job creation, its new digital recruitment platform epitomises the potential of merging technology with a commitment to social responsibility. By creating pathways for local employment, it promises not only to reshape the hiring landscape but also to invigorate local economies throughout South Africa.
Image: Supplied.
The Shoprite Group, a cornerstone of South Africa's private sector, is ushering in a new era of job accessibility with its cutting-edge digital recruitment platform aimed at bridging the employment gap in local communities.
As the nation grapples with a formidable unemployment crisis, the Group's initiative is a beacon of hope, connecting job seekers to opportunities in their vicinity while enhancing their chances of securing stable employment.
This transformative platform aligns with the Shoprite Group's commitment to economic empowerment and job creation, having already generated 8,723 new jobs in the last financial year alone.
With an ambitious plan to sustain this growth trajectory, the Group is making significant strides in fostering long-term career prospects through innovative digital solutions.
At the heart of this initiative is a keen focus on bringing job opportunities closer to home. The Group’s internal goal is to hire employees within a 15 km radius of their stores, yet the new technology has already improved this average down to just 7 km.
This localisation reduces travel expenses and potential safety risks, making employment more accessible. It also establishes a robust framework for employee retention by ensuring that positions are within a manageable commuting distance.
As the Shoprite Group continues to lead the way in uplifting communities through job creation, its new digital recruitment platform epitomises the potential of merging technology with a commitment to social responsibility. By creating pathways for local employment, it promises not only to reshape the hiring landscape but also to invigorate local economies throughout South Africa.
Image: Supplied.
“Our new recruitment platform addresses a critical need for greater job access. By developing this solution in partnership with a local small business, we are actively contributing to the economic landscape beyond our operations,” Maude Modise, Enterprise and Government Relations Executive at the Shoprite Group said. “
This is not just about filling positions; it's about fostering growth within the communities we serve,” Modise added.
The impact is twofold. For applicants, the system simplifies the hiring process, ensuring that interviews are more attainable and travel is minimised.
For recruiters, it streamlines candidate assessments while accelerating the screening and scheduling processes, effectively creating a local talent pool and facilitating a more efficient hiring protocol.
Support for this innovative platform came through a multi-year initiative under the auspices of Shoprite Next Capital, the Group’s enterprise and supplier development division.
The Group partnered with OTB Group (OTB), a local SMME, to develop this recruitment system, a decision made to bolster local small businesses while catering to its operational needs.
With milestone-based funding from Shoprite Next Capital, OTB was able to expand its workforce and meet deployment deadlines, ultimately tailoring a scalable solution that fits the retailer’s unique requirements.
The project alone has resulted in at least six new permanent positions within OTB and has indirectly generated another 12 jobs through supporting initiatives.
“As South Africa’s largest private employer, we realise that our workforce of nearly 170,000 employees is just one part of the wider community tapestry. We must remain deliberate in our efforts to assist small businesses, helping to strengthen the economy and, in this instance, developing a recruitment platform that enables us to provide jobs closer to home,” Modise further said.
BUSINESS REPORT