​Recently, the Gauteng Department of Social Development's Rearabilwe Child and Youth Care Centre in Ga-Rankuwa, Northern Corridor, hosted its inaugural career expo. This event targeted learners from various government institutions who often lack the same career exposure as children living with their families. The event brought together children from multiple facilities within the Department, including Desmond Tutu CYCC, Don Mattera CYCC, Mabutho Hlatshwayo CYCC, SOS CYCC, Itireleng CYCC, and Rearabilwe CYCC.
The career expo featured a diverse group of stakeholders aimed at inspiring and encouraging the children to explore different career paths. Their goal was to help students think deeply before committing to a career, ensuring they don't end up in fields they are not passionate about. Participants included the Department of Education, Tshwane Ga-Rankuwa Library, Ga-Rankuwa TUT Campus, and Ga-Rankuwa Radio Station.
A career expo serves as a platform for recruitment, where professionals from various fields are present to showcase potential career opportunities. These events are most effective when children are introduced to different career paths at a young age, giving them the chance to begin preparing for their future studies in areas that truly interest them.
"We dedicated today to all the kids from our institutions, targeting learners from grade 8 to grade 12. Our goal was to expose them to different career options they can pursue after completing their matric," said Mapula Moatshe, a child and youth care worker at Rearabilwe CYCC.
One of the young attendees, Jadan Smith (not his real name), a 16-year-old grade 10 student, shared how beneficial the event was. "I appreciate such events because they give me a platform to ask professionals about careers that interest me. I'm especially excited to learn more about law, as that's the career path I want to pursue," he said.
The institutions plan to continue hosting career expos, with a focus on empowering children in social development institutions. These events will provide valuable information, helping the children to pursue high-demand fields and increase their chances of finding employment after their studies. Through initiatives like career expos, the institutions aim to strengthen the future of these children through education and informed career choices.