One of South Africa’s most comprehensive career fairs – The Working World Exhibition aims to impact job growth in the region when the bumper 25th edition takes place at the Feathermarket Centre in Gqeberha from Feb 20-22.
The exhibition, says Inkanyezi Event CEO Andrew Binning, will provide learners, teachers, parents and unemployed youth with the widest ever range of free career resources.
The expo would be attended by several leading business and government officials, led by globally acclaimed educator and author Professor Jonathan Jansen.
Binning said the exhibition had attracted over 80 exhibitors representing numerous study and skills development institutions and employers with whom visitors could engage personally over the duration of the expo.
The bulk of the exhibitors represent study or training options. These include Rhodes University, UNISA, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, University of the Free State, Tshwane University of Technology, International Hotel School, Capsicum Culinary Studio, Total Concept Beauty Academy, EDUVOS, Varsity College, Boston City Campus, E-Squared Educational Enterprises, Academy for Environmental Leadership SA, UXI Sport, PE TVET college, Eastcape Midlands TVET College, AFDA: School of the Creative Economy; CTU Training Solutions, MHR Business and IT College, Industries Education, Code Girls and Training Institute and Warriors Academy.
Participating industry associations include the South African Institute for Professional Accountants, The Physiotherapy Society of South Africa, The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, The Clinical Engineering Association of South Africa, The Production Technologies Association of South Africa and The South African International Maritime Institute.
Among the exhibitors are six government departments, including the Department of Health and Department of labour. The Department of Labour will set up a mobile office at the expo to guide unemployed youth into employment opportunities, while eight Sectoral Education Training Autthorities (SETAs) will share with visitors available skills programs and learnerships across several industry sectors.
Corporate participation includes Woodlands Dairy, Kwantu Private Gane Reserve, The Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Association, PwC, EY, ABSA, Road Accident Fund, SANRAL, Standard Bank, Vodacom and Coega, DigitSA, Placerapp, SA Weather Service, SA Police Services and SA Navy among others.
Most of the scientific agencies in South Africa supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) will be exhibiting to guide and inspire learners into the wide and exciting world of the sciences. In planning a study or career path engage directly with the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (NRF SAASTA), SA Environmental Observation Network, South African Astronomical Observatory, iThemba LABS, South African Radio Astronomy Observatory, The Research Innovation Support and Advancement (RISA), SA Institute of Aquatic Biodiversity and CSIR as well as University of South Africa - College of Science, Engineering and Technology.
Inkanyezi Events CEO Andrew Binning, who founded this community initiative in 1999 and subsequently formed partnerships in its delivery, including the Department of Education and organised business, says the Working World Initiative is all about addressing youth unemployment.
The Working World Careers Expo annually for the past 24 years has reached more than 350 000 learners, unemployed youth and teachers directly at its multi-day extravaganza, which centres on the Nelson Mandela Bay in the Eastern Cape. Exponentially more have benefitted from the resources produced through the initiative, like a Career Guidance textbook, created, printed and distributed free, thanks to partnerships.
Binning says the expo’s focus is on providing learners with resources and exposing them to options around study and career choices that leads to employment.
Pupils of attending schools also received a ‘comprehensive’ Career Guidance Guide or textbook and access to a screened DVD on future careers.
Binning said the 25th edition of the careers expo is hosted in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Coega Development Corporation, the Eastern Cape Department of Education, Kingfisher FM and committed corporates.
"Over 20 years we and our partners have directly interacted with several hundred thousands of school-leavers, received an award from the president’s office for contribution to job creation and from the visitor feedback we receive, have made a serious contribution to one of our country's most challenging issues.''
Access to the annual expo and all of its resources is free to learners, parents, teachers, unemployed youth and all interested visitors. It runs from 9am to 4pm from 20-22 February 2024 at the Feathermarket Centre in Gqeberha.
For more information about the Working World Expo view www.workingworldexpo.co.za