Today, the 11th of April, 2016, 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 schools in Lady Frere, in Eastern Cape Province.
‘The best thing you can do this year as a grade 12 learner, is to start applying now for consideration in the institutions for higher learning for the 2017 academic calendar – you cannot be found wanting come January 2017’, said the Deputy Minister.
The Apply Now Campaign
Deputy Minister Manana, accompanied by the Mayor of eMalahleni Local Municipality, Cllr Nomveliso Nyukwana, interacted with Grade 8 to 12 learners at Echibini Senior Secondary School, Nzimankulu Senior Secondary School and Mtirara Senior Secondary School.
He outlined the Apply Now/Khetha Career Guidance Campaign which is aimed at encouraging learners to apply on time for admission to post-school institutions (tertiary 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.
The campaign was initiated by the Department of Higher Education and Training following the unfortunate incident that happened 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 runs from March to September, across the country, to assist learners to make informed choices when applying to institutions of higher learning. It also seeks to inform learners about things to look out for when choosing their institutions of higher learning to avert being conned by unregistered and bogus colleges who offer them unaccredited qualifications.
TVET Colleges
The Deputy Minister encouraged learners 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 from TVET colleges. Ingwe TVET College, Ikhala TVET College and Buffalo City TVET exhibited their offerings.
Universities
‘This is by no means saying University education is not important, but we need more learners in the TVET system. Universities play a critical role in the production of knowledge' said the Deputy Minister. Walter Sisulu University interacted with learners.
The 100 Occupations in High Demand
The Deputy Minister had a conversation with more than 2000 learners from Grade 8 to 12 in the rural schools of Bergville and further promoted the “100 Occupations in high demand” list that was released by the Minister of Higher Education and Training, in 2014.
This will assist learners to make informed career choices to avoid a situation where they too join a cohort of unemployed and unemployable graduates. The Deputy Minister handed over chats with a list of these occupations to Principals of the three schools.
NSFAS
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 ranks of the black middle class. NSFAS interacted with learners during the Deputy Minister’s visit.
SETAs
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 further education and training within the traditional set up.
AgriSETA; Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority; Education and Training Development Practices SETA; Fibre Processing and Manufacturing SETA; Transport Education and Training Authority; and Wholesale and Retail SETA exhibited their services to learners.
Learner Representative Council
The Deputy Minister asked the Learner Representative Council to take it upon themselves to encourage their peers to apply on time.
Career Development Services
The Department of Higher Education and Training currently runs a Career Development Services Centre to assist learners with career advice. The Khetha team was there in full swing. The Deputy Minister encouraged learners to use their cell phones to reach the Centre as follows:
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 Center: 123 Francis Baard Street, Pretoria
For further information and to schedule interviews, please contact:
Busiswa Nongogo
E-mail: nongogo.b@dhet.gov.za
Cell: 0613512695
