The Soweto Career Expo, now in its sixth year, promises to be bigger and better this year.

The Soweto Career Expo, now in its sixth year, promises to be bigger and better this year.

Careers Incorporated, in partnership with Student Brands and the City of Johannesburg, will stage the annual event at the Orlando Communal Hall in Soweto from 19-20 March. The exhibition will cover a broad spectrum of careers in the various sectors of the economy.

According to Careers Incorporated’s Development Manager, Ayesha Mackenzie, the two days of the exhibition will prove to be “an eye-opening experience” for all the learners, youths and graduates who will visit the venue.

“They will be able to interact with major employers, who will provide them with insight into their industries. Educational institutions will explain which courses are critical in the ever-changing marketplace,” Mackenzie said.

The Soweto Career Day and Expo is an interactive platform that corporates, the government, colleges and universities use to share information with learners, unemployed youth and graduates on various careers, development initiatives, student loans, internships, employment opportunities, further education and training, and skills development programmes.

Learners will be exposed to careers and educational opportunities in information and communications technology, construction, engineering, mining, minerals and energy, banking, investments and financial services, hospitality and tourism, government careers, and transport. The breakaway sessions will feature executives in the various fields.

The targeted audiences include grades 11-12 learners, third year tertiary students, youth between the ages of 15 and 25, and further education and training students.

Mackenzie said the objective of the expo was to, among other things:

•Facilitate person-to-person interaction between employers in specific fields and the youth on career related issues;

•Create an information platform for young people to broaden their horizons in terms of career goals and options;

•Contribute to the stepping up of career guidance/counselling facilities in disadvantaged schools; and

•Contribute to the capacitation of teachers for career guidance and counselling purposes.

The exhibitors will include Boston City Campus, Nemisa, Syntell, Monash University, Department of Justice, National Youth Development Agency, Lovelife, South African National Roads Agency, Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, Brainwave Careers FSB, MQA, Xtensive, RSM Progression and Fasset.

The exhibitors will be able to:

• Showcase their organisations to career minded individuals;

• Communicate directly with a targeted or broad audience hungry for inspiration and opportunity;

• Recruit directly from a pool of interested, motivated and eligible aspirants;

• Provide genuine careers and career pathways;

• Promote their brands;

• Communicate with skilled candidates and graduates looking for career options;

• Promote and market their employer brand value proposition;

• Reduce their recruitment costs and skills shortages; and

• Build relationships and network with other organisations and potential employees and suppliers