BBD achieves level one B-BBEE status

Leading software development firm, BBD, has achieved a level one broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) contributor score as it continues to deliver on an energetic transformation strategy.

“Our base tenet at BBD is that our people are our most critical asset. As a multicultural organisation, we thoroughly understand the value that diversity, education and creative thinking can bring to any table. This belief not only resonates with our own transformation and business goals, but with the country’s B-BBEE ones as well,” states BBD CEO, Peter Searle.

Throughout this journey to level one, BBD has maintained a dedication to skills development for talented young individuals in South Africa. Searle says supporting young people by developing their coding and technical skills, bridging that digital divide, is crucial for a healthy and sustainable future for businesses and, importantly, the communities they serve.

Transformation executive at BBD, Precious Nkomo, echoes Searle’s comments and adds that the company embraced this transformation journey by aligning it to their business strategy. She goes on to say that their inherent passion for education meant a focus on increasing the female footprint in the sector, coupled with developing previously disadvantaged communities, potential and existing employees as well as ensuring that they offer sought-after job opportunities to previously disadvantaged individuals.

Through partnerships with the likes of WeThinkCode_, of which BBD is a founding partner, and Umuzi, with which BBD launched a programme to support unemployed or under-employed young female coders to become junior software engineers, BBD is helping to grow the next generation of high-valued and talented software professionals.

Searle concludes that partnerships such as these are testament to the positive impact businesses can have on skills development in South Africa. “Achieving level one is definitely a feather in our cap, but it also a commitment from BBD to continue to grow our industry and our community.”