Services SETA’s career program has reached further schools in the Gert Sibande District of Mpumalanga, offering learners more opportunities to learn and choose their futures
The program started at Masizakhe Secondary School before branching out to Bee Maseko Secondary School and Camden Combined School in an initiative to provide learners with direct career guidance and an exposure to different potential career paths
Career guidance brought directly to learners
Career choices can be difficult decisions for learners with little information about the potential options after matriculation. A school-based career expo offers an opportunity for learners to obtain career-related information while they are still considering their further education and work options.
The Gert Sibande District program is focused on this objective: to improve learners’ access to career information and expose them to different potential career paths.
This form of career guidance can be important for learners, because selecting a career path not only involves choosing a particular job, but also understanding the educational or training requirements, the industries that hire people with this type of qualification, and the different ways to qualify for such a position.
Services SETA programme reaches three schools
The career development activities involve Services SETA and have been extended to three schools mentioned in the program update:
- Masizakhe Secondary School
- Bee Maseko Secondary School
- Camden Combined School
While the program expansion indicates that the career-development message is reaching more learners than just those associated with Masizakhe Secondary School, the information available does not indicate that the initiative involves a learnership, bursary or employment program. Learners should therefore differentiate the career expo from a direct job or funding opportunity. Its stated objective is career-exposition and information.
Why career information matters before matric
For many young South Africans, career planning starts well before they complete Grade 12. Subject choices, post-school education and training can affect the opportunities available.
Career guidance can support learners to consider questions such as:
What career interests me?
Learners can use career exposure to discover new occupations and industries.
What qualifications or training might I need?
Different careers require different entrance requirements, including universities, TVET colleges, occupational training and workplace-based learning.
What other opportunities exist outside of the most familiar careers?
Exposure to a wider range of occupations can help learners to avoid limiting their options to the most familiar careers.
What should I check before making a decision?
Learners can use career information as a starting point, and then confirm admission requirements, qualifications, training providers and future prospects from reliable sources.
What learners should do with the information
Attending a career expo is only part of the process. Learners can gain more from their experience by jotting down the careers of interest and then doing further research to confirm the next steps for their chosen career.
A useful exercise is to create a short list of potential careers and investigate:
- The typical subjects associated with the career.
- The qualification or training required.
- Which institutions offer the relevant program.
- The admission requirements.
- Costs and potential funding support.
- The work environments associated with the occupation.
- Whether workplace experience or further professional registration is required.
Learners should also be wary of trusting information on social media when investigating potential opportunities. Admission requirements and application deadlines can change, so learners should check the official website of the organization offering the bursary, study program, learnership or job vacancy.
A useful opportunity for schools and learners
The extension of the Gert Sibande District career expo to additional schools emphasizes the value of bringing career information to communities, rather than waiting for every individual learner to independently access reliable information.
For learners at Masizakhe Secondary School, Bee Maseko Secondary School and Camden Combined School, the program offers an opportunity to gain a broader perspective on potential careers.
The wider benefit is that career planning should be informed by information, rather than guesswork. Learners who understand their options are in a stronger position to make considered decisions about their subjects, further education, training and entry into the workplace.
Important information for readers
This report is based only on the information provided about the Gert Sibande District Career Expo. The source information confirms the involvement of Services SETA, the schools above and the program’s career-development objective. No stipend, salary, application deadline, qualification requirement or application process has been provided, so these details should not be assumed.
Learners who are interested in applying for a specific career, qualification, bursary or training opportunity should verify the relevant requirements directly with the responsible institution before applying or making financial arrangements.
Source
Source: Services SETA program update regarding the Gert Sibande District Career Expo and its extension from Masizakhe Secondary School to Bee Maseko Secondary School and Camden Combined School.
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Disclaimer
This article is provided for general information and public awareness. Mention of Services SETA, schools or a career-development program do not constitute an endorsement of any particular course, qualification, institution, employer or future opportunity. Readers should verify important requirements and program information with the relevant organization before taking action.
