Monrovia – Bridge International has made the top 10 best employers in Africa, claiming the ninth spot on a list of 100 firms or employers on the continent.
More than 10,000 African professionals were surveyed to identify the best employers in Africa and asked what contributes to a great employee’s experience.
The World Bank, which is a Bridge investor, retains its position at number one for another consecutive year.
The core employer attractiveness driver identified by the study was the ability for employees to feel that they are making an impact with another driver being identified as the development of skills.
The survey, which is conducted annually and dubbed the annual Careers in Africa Employer of Choice Study, is published in the Africa Business Magazine. It aims to shape the conversation about what makes a great employer on the continent and how it positively changes the work experience for employees.
The study was conducted by Willis Towers Watson in collaboration Global Careers Company.
This is the first time Bridge International has made the list, and the firm is also the only social enterprise and education provider.
Claiming a position in the top 10 is a reflection of the transformational education opportunities being delivered at scale in some of the most marginalised communities in Africa. Bridge operates over 800 schools in Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Uganda, and India.
The firm has received applauds for revolutionizing education by partnering with government to provide high-standard learning for students.
Delivering impact through improved learning outcomes for children lies at the heart of the Bridge model; evidenced over multiple years and countries, it will no doubt be an important contributor to Bridge’s selection as an impactful place to work, the firm wrote on its website after survey result was announced.
In Kenya, for the third year running, Bridge pupils outperformed their peers, in 2017 by 10 percentage points.
In Uganda 100% of Bridge pupils passed the end of primary school exam with over 93% of pupils scored in Division one or two compared to 56% nationally.
In Liberia, Bridge Partnership Schools for Liberia pupils learn twice as much as their peers in neighbouring government schools.
The firm acknowledges that making a difference to families, communities and countries is a significant motivator for its employees, something supported by the study which agrees that “Bridge’s purpose centric model is a natural fit for core employer attractiveness.”
Excited about making the top 10, Joe Gbasakollie, Deputy Country Director for Policy & Partnerships of Bridge Partnership Schools for Liberia, said: “We’re delighted to have made the top ten in our first ever listing on this important league table, which helps to show how much we value and support our employees across the organisation.”
In Nigeria, Fred Frank, a teacher of a Bridge School, added: “I feel proud to be part of a world-class organisation that is changing the face of education globally. Teaching at Bridge comes with a lot of opportunities and a strong sense of support and professional development.”
With a focus on developing and empowering teachers, Bridge is a natural choice for those who seek professional development and feel empowered by delivering impressive results.
Many teachers across Africa are left unsupported, with poor materials, overcrowded classrooms and little professional development, all of which contributes to high teacher absenteeism and poor learning gains.
In contrast, teachers employed by Bridge benefit from ongoing training; a clear support system and teacher guides that enable teachers to focus on their pupils without the administrative burden that many feel overwhelmed by.
“Being a Bridge teacher makes me feel proud and dedicated to my profession; I always wanted to be the best and make my pupils happy. If you teach at Bridge, you will definitely feel that enthusiasm,” says Teacher David Okombo of Kenya.
The study also focused on how employees of Bridge have felt for sometimes, working towards a mission that aims to ensure every child has access to a life changing education is both motivating and fulfilling.
“As Bridge grows its team over the years to come, we hope that the positive sense of employee engagement and commitment will also continue to grow,” the firm wrote on its website.