Staff Reporter
JOHANNESBURG– SINCE inception in 2009, the My Future My Career youth career guidance programme has empowered and skilled about 200 000 Grade 9-12 learners from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.
Free of charge, the programme has played a crucial role in supplementing public high school career development and receives positive reviews from learners, teachers and principals whose schools participate in the process.
It is against this background this year’s edition has been launched in Johannesburg amid optimism.
My Future, My Career consists of 14 pre-recorded career guidance sessions, screened over seven weeks on selected Sunday mornings.
These cover over 120 different career choices aimed at assisting disadvantaged South African youth with career guidance.
The programme is presented in episodes at cinemas which have been strategically selected for convenience and accessibility to learners.
The success of the programme has created a platform for the Public and Private Sector to partner effectively in delivering an impactful initiative to upskill thousands of young South Africans.
Supporters of the programme include AECI, Siyakha Education Trust, National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), Gauteng City Region Academy (GCRA), Vodacom, Tsogo Sun, Gearhouse, Kulula.com, Nutrifruit and Shine
Solutions, in partnership with Primestars Marketing.
NYDA Chief Executive Officer, Khathu Ramukumba, says the agency values the power of education and the potential it has to change lives of young people.
It 2013, NYDA shifted its main focus away from Enterprise Finance towards Education and Skills Development.
“Without adequate information and direction, young people often make the wrong subject choices which lead to inevitable failures later on in life. Partnerships as this one go a long way in ensuring that young people make
the right choice to secure a better future,” says Ramukumba.
Eve Liebetrau, Executive Manager of Human Resources at Comair Limited, says, “We are extremely proud of our partnership with Primestars and the fact that we will be flying them around the country as they work towards
changing the lives of young people.”
Government has hailed the success of the My Future My Career.
Mduduzi Manana, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, says youth have to make informed choices on their perspective careers.
“Our aim is to create the opportunity for all learners, particularly those from impoverished schools, to access institutions of Higher Education and Training by providing career guidance and counselling related to career
choices so that accessing and getting quality education and training may become a reality for them as well,” Manana adds.
– Guardian
