As almost a million Grade 12s across the country settle into the matric final exams, dates for the annual Working World Careers Expo for 2023 have been announced.
The Working World Careers Expo – now in its 23rd annual edition – will take place at the Nelson Mandela University’s Missionvale Campus from 14-16 March, 2023.
At the launch of the 2023 expo, Inkanyezi Events CEO Andrew Binning said the expo’s focus was on providing learners with resources and exposing them to options around study and career choices.
“Finishing school is a milestone but only the first step towards finding meaningful employment, which must be the focus if we are to deal with the unemployment crisis in South Africa, Binning said.
“The expo is really for the Grade 11’s and 12’s of 2023, who use the resources at the event as a platform to determine the institutions at which they hope to study or train after completing matric. Applications for most educational institutions are made during the early part of pupils’ matric year, so the expo also takes place in the first term,” Binning said.
According to Binning the 2023 Working World Expo will include an exhibition featuring up to 100 educational institutions, corporates and activations. Pupils of attending schools would receive a ‘comprehensive’ Career Guidance Guide and access to a screened DVD on future careers, he said.
He said access to the expo and all of its resources was free to learners, parents, teachers, unemployed youth and all interested visitors.
According to the Department of Basic Education, 923 460 candidates would write
the matric NSC examinations at 6 885 exam centres across the country in 2022. According to Umalusi marking will be conducted at 186 marking centres by 53 926 markers.
The IEB has 13 875 candidates who will write the examinations at 232 examination centres.
Overall, approximately 942 000 candidates distributed across assessment bodies are registered to write the NSC in 2022.
While certain exams including practical exams for Computer Application Technology (CAT), Information Technology (IT), Performing Arts, and Visual Arts and Design have already taken place, exams begin in earnest between Monday, 31 October and will finish on Friday, 9 December 2022. The matric exams have started later than in previous years to ensure that matriculants have enough time for learning and teaching.
Binning said the 23nd edition of the careers expo would be hosted with the support of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, the Eastern Cape Department of Education and committed corporates like the Coega Development Corporation.
“Over 20 years we have directly interacted with several hundred thousands of school-leavers, received an award from the Province of the Eastern Cape for our contribution to job creation and from the visitor feedback we receive, have made a serious contribution to one of our country’s most challenging issues.”
Binning stressed the importance of career guidance.
“Career guidance resources are essential to curb youth unemployment which is a serious concern in South Africa. Career planning is even more critical as the market place is demanding skills that are aligned with the 4th Industrial Revolution which is changing the shape of the job market, while trade-related skills present essential entrepreneurial opportunities.’’
For more information about the Working World Expo view www.workingworldexpo.co.za