SQS Software Quality Systems, the world's leading specialist in software quality, has been named "IT Leading Employer" in South Africa for the third time, in recognition of its strong employee engagement principles and effective employee management.
Based on an independent survey of non-management IT staff, run by TalentAlign IT in conjunction with the Institute of Information Technology Professionals South Africa (IITPSA), SQS' investment in a progressive working culture and a flexible approach to career development earned the company the accolade at the annual President's awards.
The ceremony, held at the Montecasino Ballroom in Fourways, Johannesburg, on 6 November, saw Sales Director of SQS SA, Johan Steyn, presented with the IITSPA's "IT Leading Employer" award in association with TalentAlign IT.
Tony Parry, CEO of IITPSA commented: "SQS has demonstrated consistently high employee engagement and is the first company to win this award for a third time. The company has an outstanding record of employee engagement - the senior team has put processes in place to listen to its employees and ensure they feel engaged and enjoy working there. The "IT Leading Employer" recognition really does underline how SQS is an IT Employer of Choice in the South African market place."
SQS has celebrated receiving the "Leading IT Employer" title in both 2009 and 2011 while being a finalist every year since 2009.
Trevor Luyt, Managing Director of SQS SA continued: "Receiving this award is an affirmation of our efforts to remain at the forefront of employee engagement. We recognise that first and foremost we are a 'people' business and that our achievements are directly related to the success of our employees."
Over the past 12 months, SQS has enjoyed significant new contract wins both locally and internationally, as well as major contract extensions. These successes bare further testimony to the investment in employees. Positive client feedback about the impact SQS employees make on IT projects also highlights team quality and effectiveness.
Luyt concluded: "In 2011, I confirmed the need to constantly adapt and undertake new initiatives as the key to managing and motivating employees in a people-intensive business. Over the past 12 months we have focused heavily on driving higher employee commitment - to careers, colleagues, clients and company. We have also invested in recruitment, training and development, and have implemented programmes to support these initiatives. It's a bonus for us to receive this award again so soon after implementing these initiatives."
SQS clients have also endorsed the company's consultants. Tony Yunnie, Programme Manager, Nedbank added: "Many vendors say they want to partner with their clients. SQS doesn't talk partnerships, it does partnerships, daily. SQS is always willing to help, always willing to go the extra mile, always there with great skills and a great attitude."
While Michelle Lambert, the Software Solutions Manager at Adapt IT, said: "AdaptIT has been engaged with SQS since October 2013 with regards to ensuring that quality within AdaptIT was aligned to best practice. The partnership with SQS has proven to be beneficial to AdaptIT's product quality improvement plan. SQS staff members are certified professionals with an absolute passion for quality and continuous improvement. The result to date has ensured AdaptIT has a defined quality strategy and policy relative to all products and relevant development frameworks. There has been a vast improvement in the quality processes and metrics that have allowed for continuous improvement. We look forward to collaborating with SQS in the future."
SQS' success in the annual IITPSA awards is also a testament to the company's global employee relations. Many of the company's international graduate intake attend a Graduate Boot Camp in Durban. An intensive three-week training course for up to 20 graduates at a time, the boot camp hosts graduates from South Africa, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, Ireland and the United Kingdom to further their training in software quality as a career.
SQS has been located in South Africa since 2004 and has grown from three initial employees to 150+ currently. Each year, SQS has enjoyed significant growth within South Africa, opening a new office in Johannesburg in 2008 to support demand for software quality services.
Share