UCT Careers Service a Finalist in Two Categories at SAGEA 2025 Awards
The University of Cape Town (UCT) Careers Service has once again been recognised at a national level, having been named a finalist in two categories of the 2025 South African Graduate Employers Association (SAGEA) Awards: Best Careers Service and Best Career Fair.
This recognition is based on feedback gathered through SAGEA’s Employer Benchmarking and Candidate Insights research, which captures national trends in graduate recruitment and evaluates the quality-of-service delivery across institutions. Being shortlisted in two categories reflects the consistent effort of the Careers Service team to provide high-quality, student-focused support that prepares UCT graduates for the world of work.
A Track Record of Steady, Team-Based Excellence
The UCT Careers Service has been a regular presence at the SAGEA Awards, having previously won Best Career Service and Best Career Fair in past years. However, the focus remains on the work itself, delivering inclusive, responsive, and accessible support to students across all faculties.
This year’s finalist recognition is not simply a repeat of past successes, but a reflection of the team’s ongoing commitment to evolving their offering in response to changing student needs and graduate employer expectations. From individual guidance and skills workshops to large-scale events like career fairs, the team continues to foster meaningful connections between students and the world of work.
Highlighting the Broader Graduate Landscape
SAGEA’s 2025 Employer Benchmarking and Candidate Insights reports, which inform the awards, gathered input from 78 major graduate employers and over 2,700 students and recent graduates. The findings underscore a growing need for early engagement, soft skills, and digital readiness, factors that are central to the Careers Service’s strategy.
Being named a finalist in both Best Careers Service and Best Career Fair categories suggests that UCT’s programming remains well-aligned with national best practices, while also meeting the real-world expectations of employers and graduates alike.
Shared Success
The recognition is a testament to the collaborative work happening behind the scenes: careers advisors, event coordinators, employer relations staff, faculty partners, student leaders, and employers all contribute to a holistic, student-centred approach. The finalist placement honours not just outcomes, but the relationships and teamwork that make them possible.
Looking Ahead
Final results will be announced at the 2025 SAGEA Awards ceremony later this year. Regardless of the outcome, UCT Careers Service views the finalist recognition as a meaningful moment to reflect on progress—and to recommit to the mission of supporting students as they prepare for their next chapter.