Career guidance is one of the most important aspects of student life but in many instances it is left too late in helping young people plan their future. Following the success of the ‘Start Here’ campaign implemented over the past three years, the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) is implementing the ‘Start Here Campaign 2012’ which is aimed at dealing with the increased amount of young people that are in need of career guidance. ‘Start Here’ is an awareness campaign aimed at increasing the uptake of the career g0uidance service offered at various NYDA offices across the country.
“Many matriculants and learners, both successful and unsuccessful in their studies are encouraged to contact the NYDA call centre on 08600 96884 or alternatively visit your nearest NYDA Youth Advisory Centre to access the variety of alternative opportunities that exist, such as self-employment options for those matriculants who have failed and are looking to find alternatives whilst make the effort to enter a matric revision programme.
Over the years, we have come to understand that there are many young people who are keen to seize opportunities but they are unaware of where and how to start looking,” says Birgit Vijverberg, Programme Manager for Career Guidance at the NYDA.
This year’s ‘Start Here’ campaign will not only focus on matriculants but will also include Grade 11 learners with the aim to enlighten both these learners and their teachers about career guidance options. ‘Start Here’ will run for a period of three weeks commencing from 6 to 24 February 2012.
1st Week: School visits
In the first week of the ‘Start Here’ campaign, an intense school visits programme will be implemented at selected schools (with a focus on rural schools). The schools will be visited by the NYDA Career Guidance Practitioners with an average of 20 schools per NYDA branch. Grade 11 and Grade 12 learners will receive a general presentation on Career Guidance, what it entails and how it can assist in guiding one in choosing a career path. The Life Orientation teachers of the schools visited will receive reference books to be used by learners in follow-up sessions.
2nd-3rd Week: School visits and one-on-one career guidance sessions
In the second and third week of the campaign, the efforts will be divided between school visits and individual Career Guidance sessions conducted at all NYDA branches.
Young people can walk-in or make an appointment. One-on-one career guidance sessions take approximately 30 minutes. Participants will also be able to engage infomediaries on other products of the NYDA.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Lebogang Manganye
National Youth Development Agency
Cell: 084 510 4658
Tel: 011 651 7154
E-mail: lmanganye@nyda.gov.za
