SACIA’s Young Professionals Forum comprises young graduates who have passed the qualifying exam and completed the academic requirement needed for a professional designation.  Graduates from several Universities will find that the qualifying exam for a professional designation is embedded in their academic curriculum.

Graduates generally work under a designated member's supervision as they accumulate the relevant work experience needed to apply for a designation. Most of these graduates will be employed in terms of a training contract in which they will be provided with guidance and mentorship by their employer. This training period is classified as “category C” training on the B-BBEE Learning Programme Matrix where it is described as “recognised or registered structured experiential learning in the workplace that is required after the achievement of a qualification – formally assessed by a statutory occupational or professional body.”

On completion of their training contract, members of the Young Professionals Forum will be entitled to apply for a professional designation reflecting knowledge and competence in their chosen profession.