Expo aims to shape learners’ minds
The grade nines of 2014 have to make life-changing decisions in only a few month’s time. They need to decide what subjects they are going to take until the end of matric.
MALALANE – The grade nines of 2014 have to make life-changing decisions in only a few month’s time. They need to decide what subjects they are going to take until the end of matric.
The subject choices will affect their remaining three years at school, their path after school and their careers.
It is one of the biggest choices these young people will make in their lives and many do not have the knowledge to do so.
TSB has realised this and from March 12 to 14, it will host the TSB Selati Career Expo.
The company hopes to shape the minds of thousands of grade nine learners from invited schools in the Nkomazi area who are on the brink of making their subject choices for grade 10.
TSB and its associates, the Department of Education, Ehlanzeni District and the National Youth Development Agency, have collaborated to bring an event to the school calendar that addresses specific needs with regard to career guidance.
According to educational psychologist, Ms Rita McFadden, “There is a huge misconception when it comes to studying after school. It might not be what you are able to do, and money goes to waste. Children are not realistic when it comes to their choice of subjects. Some want to become doctors, but don’t pass maths and science, or don’t even include those subjects in their syllabus. Some choose subjects that seem like the easy way out, but don’t mean anything when looking to go to university. This is why we want to make them aware of the options and encourage them to make the right decisions. Especially in rural areas where information is difficult to obtain. A good idea is to start by doing aptitude tests, to determine what your interests are and which subjects to choose.”
Mr Vusi Khoza, corporate affairs general manager of TSB stated, “There is a dire need to educate and grow learners’ career maturity to enable them to have a clear and developed understanding of the choices they need to make to follow a viable and suitable career. One of the most important elements in developing this is exposure to career fields in various industries. This is our main objective in presenting the TSB Selati Career Expo.”
It will consist of workshops and industry exhibitions. The workshops will be hosted by the Department of Education, and will speak to the personalities, interests, values and abilities of the learners, in relation to career choices.
The industry exhibitions will allow industry leaders to showcase various career opportunities and the skills necessary to pursue them.
TSB has in the past managed and coordinated relevant educational and training projects in line with the principles of good governance and accountability.
Its overall purpose and role in the career expo is to create a platform for local public and private partners to present real solutions in line with the industry and government’s socio-economic objectives.
The South African agricultural sector, which has diversified operations across a value chain extending from farms to consumers, is a possible employer capable of providing a wide range of career opportunities.
“Conversations about unemployment in South Africa, which is running at about 25 per cent, are often accompanied by an acknowledgement that jobs in urban areas are few,” says Amber Ndlovu-Wudebwe, general manager of human resources at TSB.
“As a result, TSB supports initiatives that make rural areas in the sugar-cane growing region a viable source of employment. This is possible through the provision of quality education and training as well as broadening the base for economic growth and sustainable livelihoods. By emphasising the creation of meaningful employment in rural areas, the TSB Selati Career Expo encourages youths to consider careers in rural areas rather than leave for urban areas.”
The sector directly employs about 638 000 people and creates indirect opportunities for 8,5 million others. In the agricultural sector, the sugar industry alone employs about 79 000 people and creates job opportunities for 350 000 more.
The expo hopes to give ample career direction to grade nine learners, all coming from the Nkomazi, Lebombo, Malalane and Khulangwane circuits, so that they know about various career options in their own backyard. In this way the expo is geared towards fighting youth unemployment, a prevalent challenge in the area where TSB operates. Visitors to the expo
will also have the opportunity to apply for bursaries under the TSB, Hexagon Trust and Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education (SITFE) bursary programmes. “TSB, as a major employer in Mpumalanga and one of the province’s largest sources of revenue, regards the career expo as a meaningful contribution to the community’s development. Given that the area is remote from urban areas, it is special events such as this expo that help to create awareness about job opportunities.
“Furthermore, the expo identifies people with potential who could benefit from opportunities that TSB provides. By helping with applicants’ personal development and creating opportunities for them, we can significantly help reduce the high unemployment level,” says Ndlovu-Wudebwe.
Industry leaders who want to participate in the exhibition can contact Allet Kinnear on 082-805-0117 or visit www.tsb.co.za for online registration.
