Youth-based programme aims to shed light on career choices

NOW is the time to embrace new ways of thinking about careers and gain a better understanding of what the different sectors have to offer.

The youth-based programme, Go-Getter Challenge, which starts tomorrow (Friday), aims to encourage young people to explore beyond their traditional career options by helping youngsters appreciate the earning potential and opportunity for growth in retail careers, while also addressing the skills shortage in one of the best-performing sectors in the country.

ALSO READ: How much must you earn to be able to afford your first car? Youngsters aged 16-24 are welcome and can access free tickets on quick ticket space. Entries are limited, so click here to sign up. Data will be provided on a needs basis.

Why the Go-Getter Challenge? Young people look down on retail jobs without understanding what the industry has to offer. Besides a host of corporate career paths, SPAR provides entry-level positions and entrepreneurial opportunities for thousands of young South Africans.

This challenge is about showcasing these opportunities and encouraging young people to pursue careers in the retail sector.

While the programme is grounded in the retail industry, it is designed to equip participants with practical skills and insights into the working world no matter their career aspirations.

This programme offers young people a chance to prove their potential over a two-month calendar of digital events. Real career opportunities are at stake, but all participants walk away with a richer understanding of themselves and the working world.

Round 1 Career Open Day (an interactive panel discussion streamed live on YouTube). 300 Go-Getters meet relatable role models and listen to inspiring stories.

SPAR people share wisdom from their career journeys

Round 2  Selection Bootcamp (remote work-readiness challenges hosted on Slack). 70 Go-Getters participate in team activities such as customer service roleplays, moral debates and strategy workshops SPAR people lead the way as mentors and coaches

Round 3  Learning journey (virtual tours powered by Zoom). 40 Go-Getters embark on VIP tours of SPAR stores and regional distribution centres to learn more about life in retail SPAR people provide information about exclusive career opportunities for Go-Getters

About FutureMe

FutureMe is the bridge between school and work that connects young people with businesses.

Their programmes emphasise three areas of career development – soft skills, self-awareness and career exposure.

FutureMe host digital and physical expos, events and learning boot camps that challenge young South Africans to invest in themselves as they take their first steps into the working world.

They build sustainable talent pipelines for organisations seeking to understand and inspire tomorrow’s workforce.

By engaging with high school learners, tertiary students, young job seekers, employers and other relevant stakeholders, FutureMe aims to: * Increase awareness around career opportunities

* Make young people positive and excited about their futures

* Increase interest in vocational career paths. Long-term aim:

* Improve first-time employee retention rates

* Reduce first-year study dropout rates

* Increase awareness around expectations in the working world.  

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