A programme supporting career development, in partnership with Services SETA, is expanding to reach more learners in the Gert Sibande District with activities taking place at Bee Maseko Secondary School and Camden Combined School, in addition to Masizakhe Secondary School.
The programme is designed to support learners by exposing them to the range of career opportunities available to aid them in considering further study, training and employment decisions.
Exposing learners to career options
The career expo started at Masizakhe Secondary School before being extended to Bee Maseko Secondary School and Camden Combined School.
The involvement of Services SETA reflects an effort to expose learners to career opportunities, while at school. For many young people, the decisions about which subjects to choose, whether to continue studying beyond school and which career to select can be challenging, especially when they have limited knowledge about the different occupations or qualifications available.
Career-expo initiatives help to address this issue by providing learners with the opportunity to learn more about different career options and how their own interests, subjects and training can be linked to future employment or study.
The underlying message is that access to reliable career information can support future decision-making.
The importance of career guidance
For learners towards the end of secondary school, career decisions can have an ongoing impact. While knowing about the existence of an occupation may not be sufficient, learners also need to understand the requirements for studying or training in that area. This is where career-expo initiatives can play an important role by encouraging young people to consider occupations they may not have previously explored, as well as supporting them to ask questions and research areas of interest.
The expansion of the programme to additional schools means that more learners in the Gert Sibande District are able to benefit from this type of information.
Services SETA’s position
Services SETA is one of South Africa’s Sector Education and Training Authorities. SETAs function within South Africa’s skills-development framework and participate in a range of skills-development and training initiatives.
While the work of SETAs has a role in the broader skills-development context, the immediate benefit to learners of a career expo is the opportunity for them to obtain clearer information about the direction of different fields of work.
It is essential for learners to realise that any information received at career expos is a guide only. Qualification requirements, training and funding criteria, and the availability of occupations may change, so that learners should confirm any critical details with the relevant educational institution or training provider before making a decision.
What to get out of a career expo
Learners attending a career expo can make the most of the opportunity by asking themselves (and others) relevant questions, including:
What qualifications are required for a particular career?
What school subjects are needed or recommended?
Where can the required qualification or training be obtained?
Are there learnerships, internships or workplace training opportunities in the field?
What skills are sought by employers?
What are the possible career progression routes?
Who are the official organisations or institutions providing further information?
Taking notes and following up on the answers to these questions will transform a one-day career expo into a lifelong career-planning experience.
An opportunity to make choices
The fact that the programme has moved beyond Masizakhe Secondary School and extended to Bee Maseko Secondary School and Camden Combined School demonstrates the value of bringing career information directly to learners.
The ultimate aspiration of expanding the programme is not just to promote a limited range of occupations, but to give young people greater insight into the choices available to them, so that they can make informed decisions.
For learners, parents and educators, the most useful outcome is increased awareness of the range of education and training opportunities available after school.
What has been confirmed
Based on the information provided about the programme:
| Detail | Information |
|————————–|———————————————————-|
| Programme | Gert Sibande District Career Expo |
| Organisation involved | Services SETA |
| Initial school mentioned | Masizakhe Secondary School |
| Additional schools | Bee Maseko Secondary School and Camden Combined School |
| Main purpose | Career development and exposure for learners |
| Target audience | School learners |
| Location | Gert Sibande District, South Africa |
| Stipend/salary | Not provided |
| Closing date | Not provided |
| Application process | Not an application-based opportunity |
Note: This is a career-exposure programme rather than a learnership, internship or job advertisement. No stipend, salary, qualification requirement or application deadline was confirmed.
Source
Source: Information supplied regarding the Gert Sibande District Career Expo and Services SETA’s participation at Masizakhe Secondary School, with expansion to Bee Maseko Secondary School and Camden Combined School.
Editorial policy
This article was independently written using the available information as the factual basis. We seek to differentiate between confirmed information and interpretation, avoid unsubstantiated claims, and provide practical information for South African readers. Where programme details such as application requirements, dates or financial benefits are not confirmed, they are not stated as facts.
Corrections policy
We take accuracy seriously. If a factual error is identified, we will investigate the information against the available source or an authoritative source and correct the article where needed. Significant corrections will be made clear in the article.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for general information and career-awareness purposes. Readers should confirm programme details, career requirements and any education or training information directly with the relevant organisation or institution prior to relying on this information. We do not guarantee admission, employment, funding or participation in any programme mentioned.
For learners and parents, the main insight from this article is that career expos are most valuable when they encourage further questions and research, rather than providing definitive answers. Learners who understand their options are best placed to select the right path.
