More than 2,000 learners from Grades 8 to 11 in Phuthaditjhaba and the surrounding areas attended a career fair on 11 September 2026 to gain exposure to study, training and employment pathways available after school.
The career fair was held at the Multipurpose Centre in Phuthaditjhaba, Free State, with the participation of SASSETA and Services SETA.
More than one pathway to explore after school
The large number of learners at the career fair included students from local and surrounding schools, who engaged with businesses and professionals offering study and skills opportunities.
Lucky Radebe, a Services SETA representative, reminded learners that while university study is one avenue, there are other possibilities to pursue.
“You should go out there and see what there is,” he said, urging young people not to stay at home convinced there are no options.
The same advice might be helpful for learners who are less aware of the range of study and skills opportunities available through South Africa’s post-school education and training system.
Some opportunities, such as learnerships, bursaries, internships and other skills-development routes, might be dependent on academic qualifications and the learner’s interests.
Learner finds out there are alternatives to university
The information at the career fair made an impact on some learners, enabling them to make more informed decisions about their skills and career choices.
“I see that university isn’t the only option,” learner Charlenne Dlamini of Rantsane Secondary School (Grade 10) explained.
One of the values of exposure to career opportunities is providing learners with information relevant to their goals.
This information can be important to learners in Grades 8 to 11, who need to ensure they complete the relevant school subjects for the chosen career pathway so that they have the necessary academic qualifications.
The information could influence which fields learners study in school, the academic streams they choose and the skills areas in which they could obtain bursaries or other support.
Why considering career options before Matric is important
It is not unusual for young people to make seemingly clear career decisions without fully understanding the nature of the work or the academic requirements.
This is where a career fair can offer valuable insight.
According to experience, learners considering careers in business, engineering, medicine, technology, tourism, education, security careers or other fields may find it helpful to find out more about:
- University study
- TVET colleges
- Learnerships
- Internships
- Apprenticeships
- Skills development
- Vocational training
The choice of the best route depends on the learner’s interests and abilities and the requirements of the chosen occupation.
Mental health is an important topic for learners
As well as providing exposure to different careers, the fairs support learners in developing good mental health practices, especially as young people start to plan for their futures after school.
At the event on 11 September 2026, a mental health therapy session was included, so learners could ask questions about their mental health and the best ways to support themselves.
This information is especially relevant as learners have to make difficult decisions about furthering their studies, finding employment and managing their relationships and expectations.
Learners who find new information through a career fair should pursue the opportunities they discover.
How learners can benefit after attending a career fair
The value of the fair is that the learners can do further research into their area of interest before applying for further education or employment.
A learner considering a certain occupation can find out:
- What the job involves
- Subjects in school that are relevant or required
- The academic qualification and/or skills required to enter the occupation
- Where to obtain the academic qualification
- Bursaries available for study
- Learnership or internship opportunities in the field
- Job requirements in the chosen career
When doing research about career options, learners should consult the relevant schools, government departments, SETAs and employers for information about specific work requirements.
Looking at options for a learners’ career
The example of the Phuthaditjhaba career fair illustrates the value of providing relevant information for learners in Grades 8 to 11 about their options after school graduation.
A learner in Grade 8 has more time to decide on their further studies, but a learner in Grade 11 needs to have information about the study and funding options before they plan their future.
In either case, making informed choices can be supported through understanding their options.
Similarly, for parents and educators, the fair can be a good opportunity to initiate more conversations with learners about their subject choices, study qualifications and realistic career expectations.
A young South African’s greater opportunities
The message for young South Africans is that, when attending a career fair, they can see the full range of the education and training options and how each could fit into their career.
While completing a four-year degree at university is an option for some careers, gaining a learnership, apprenticeship, internship or further education and training in an Occupation-Specific Authority (OSA)-registered skills fields provides an alternate route for the young person.
The challenge is to ensure the learner has sufficient information to make their decisions based on realistic assessments.
The more than 2000 learners who attended the day-long fair in Phuthaditjhaba took a valuable step forward in this process.
Source
Source: Information supplied about the SASSETA Career Fair held at the Multipurpose Centre in Phuthaditjhaba, Free State on 11 September 2026 including details of Services SETA’s participation, learner attendance, career guidance activities and learner feedback.
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Disclaimer
This article is intended for educational and information purposes for learners on their career-planning journeys. Learners should verify specific qualification and funding requirements against the relevant institution or organisation before making a decision.
