The Top Employers Institute is the global authority on recognising excellence in people practices. Their certification is awarded to organisations that demonstrate a strong commitment to building a better, more supportive, and more inclusive world of work.
The certification process is based on a comprehensive HR best practices survey, which evaluates companies across several key areas including people strategy, leadership, organisational change, talent acquisition, learning and development, diversity and inclusion, well-being as well as sustainability.
A strategic step forward
Dennis Coetzee, group executive of Human Capital at NWK, said that this certification was not the goal, but a step in a broader strategic journey. ‘Participating in the top employer benchmarking process was a deliberate decision to evaluate the maturity of our people practices, measure ourselves against recognised global standards, and identify areas where we can improve.’
He added that this recognition reaffirms that NWK already has a solid foundation in place and that it also highlights the importance of embedding these leading practices consistently across the business and continuing to adapt to the evolving world of work.
‘Certification as a top employer is not a declaration that everything is perfect – it is a reflection of an organisation that is committed to learning, growing, and improving,’ he added.
David Plink, CEO of Top Employers Institute, said: ‘Consistency in a not-so-consistent world? Amidst constant change – through technological advances, economic shifts, and evolving social landscapes – it is inspiring to see people and organisations rise to the challenge.
‘This year, the Top Employers Certification Programme highlights the dedication of our top employers as they continue to set the standard, consistently delivering world-class HR strategies and practices. These top employers strive to foster growth and wellbeing, all while enriching the world of work. We are proud to celebrate these people-first leaders and teams as the top employers for 2025!’
NWK’s 2025 certification at a glance
In 2025, more than 2 400 organisations were certified globally, spanning 125 countries and impacting the lives of over 13 million employees. The global average certification score was 82,83%.
Within South Africa, 155 companies were recognised across all industries, and NWK was honoured to be among them. With an overall evaluation score of 78,98%, NWK met the rigorous standards required for certification – a significant accomplishment for our participation in the programme since the last time we did in 2017.
Why this matters
“Being certified as a top employer strengthens NWK’s employer brand and positions us as an organisation that prioritises the growth and wellbeing of our people. It enhances our ability to attract top talent, increase employee engagement and retention, and ultimately build a high-performing, values-driven culture,” Dennis added.
It also demonstrates to all NWK’s stakeholders – from employees and future talent to partners and investors – that the company is serious about creating a modern, sustainable, and people-centred business.
Looking ahead
Dennis thanked every employee, leader and stakeholder who made this possible. ‘This milestone is not the end of the road. It is a reaffirmation of NWK’s intention to continuously improve, learn from global best practices, and deliver a workplace experience that aligns with our strategic vision and values. We are committed to taking the insights gained from this process and using them to drive further transformation and innovation across our people practices. This recognition belongs to all of us!’
