Today, the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mr Mduduzi Manana, MP, rolled-out the 2016 Apply Now/Khetha Career Guidance Campaign by visiting three secondary schools in Burgersfort, in the Limpopo Province.
Cllr RS Mamekoa the Mayor of Greater Tubatse Local Municipality accompanied the Deputy Minister.
Deputy Minister Manana interacted with over two thousand Grade 9, 10, 11 and 12 learners. The schools visited are; Dikotope Secondary School, Moukangoe Secondary School and Manoke Secondary School.
He outlined the Apply Now/Khetha Career Guidance Campaign which is aimed at encouraging matric learners to apply on time for admission to post-school institutions and thus avert possible stampedes and long queues that take place at the beginning of each academic year. The Career Guidance component of the campaign seeks to inform learners about career choices available within the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector.
“As we commemorate the Youth Month in remembrance of the youth of 1976, as the youth of today you must take advantage of the opportunities that the government has made available. I am criss-crossing the rural and township schools with this campaign to share these opportunities that are available within the post-school', said the Deputy Minister.
The Deputy Minister further promoted the “100 Occupations in high demand” list that was released by the Minister of Higher Education and Training, in 2014. He said 'this will assist learners to make informed career choices to avoid a situation where they too join a cohort of unemployed and unemployable graduates which is a phenomenon as a result of a mismatch between skills supply and demand'. A chat with a list of Occupations in High Demand was presented to Principals in the schools.
'We are in the second year of promoting the Decade of the Artisan advocacy campaign, which will run until 2024. I am encouraging you to consider Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges as an alternative to university education because the skills needs of the country necessitate a massive production of artisans within the college system'. However this is not in anyway suggesting that University education is less important. We need more of you to be channelled to Colleges than Universities', said Mr Manana.
The Deputy Minister informed learners that there are currently 21 Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) which are responsible for learnerships and other training opportunities for learners who cannot pursue the traditional post-school system.
Deputy Minister Manana informed learners about the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) which is aimed at assisting poor and academically deserving students to further their studies within the post-school sector. NSFAS has to date assisted more than 1.5 million beneficiaries who have since joined the middle class league. 'Matriculants please apply online and submit relevant supporting documents from 1 August directly to NSFAS for the 2017 academic year', said the Deputy Minister.
The Department of Higher Education and Training currently runs a Career Development Services Centre to assist learners with career advice. The Deputy Minister advised learners to use their cell phones to get in touch with the Centre.
Learner Representative Council Presidents were grateful for the information that was shared with the learners and teachers. They promised to take it upon themselves to further encourage learners to apply on time and be wise when choosing subjects in lower grades.
The Deputy Minister was accompanied by Sector Education and Training Authority's (Banking, Chemical Industries, Fibre Processing and Manufacturing, Transport and Wholesale and Retail); Sekhukhune TVET College, University of Venda, National Student Financial Aid Scheme and the Department of Higher Education and Training - Career Development Services. These institutions shared information about learnerships, opportunities within TVET Colleges and Universities, funding opportunities and career guidance.
About Apply Now Campaign/Khetha Career Guidance Campaign
The campaign was initiated by the Department of Higher Education and Training following the unfortunate incident that occurred at the University of Johannesburg in 2012, where a mother died in a stampede whilst accompanying her child to submit a late application.
The Apply Now Campaign/ Khetha Career Guidance campaign runs annually from March to September across the country to assist learners to make informed choices. It also seeks to inform learners about things to look out for when choosing their institutions of higher learning and to avert being conned by unregistered and bogus colleges who offer them unaccredited qualifications.
Career Development Services contact details:
SMS or “Please Call Me”: 072 204 5056
Telephone: 086 999 0123
E-Mail: careerhelp@dhet.gov.za
Facebook: www.facebook.com/careerhelp
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rsacareerhelp
Website: www.careerhelp.org.za
National Career Advice Portal: http://ncap.careerhelp.org.za
Walk-in Centre: 123 Francis Baard Street, Pretoria.
For further information and to schedule interviews:
Busiswa Gqangeni
Cell: 079 547 5299 or 061 351 2695
Email: gqangeni.b@dhet.gov.za
