THE seventh and final instalment of the decorated My Future My Career youth career guidance programme was launched at Gold Reef City on Thursday, May 12.
Since its inception in 2009, the ground-breaking initiative has empowered and skilled close to 200 000 Grade Nine to 12 learners from previously disadvantaged areas.
Free of charge to its beneficiaries, the programme has played a crucial role in supplementing public high school career development and continues to be praised by the learners, teachers and principals whose schools participate in the process.
My Future, My Career is made up of 14 pre-recorded career guidance sessions, screened over seven weeks on selected Sunday mornings. These sessions cover over 120 different career choices and are aimed at assisting disadvantaged South African youths with career guidance. The programme is presented in episodes, at cinemas which have been strategically selected for their convenience and accessibility to the learners. Each student leaves each session with a booklet for future reference.
The success of the programme over the years has created a platform for the public and private sector to partner effectively in delivering an impactful initiative to upskill thousands of young South Africans.
“Young people have to make informed choices on their prospective careers. Our aim is to create the opportunity for all learners, particularly those from impoverished schools, to access institutions of higher education and training, by providing career guidance and counselling related to career choices, so that accessing quality education and training may become a reality for them as well,” said Mduduzi Manana, Deputy Minister of Higher Education.
The brands passionate about career and skills development, whose contributions make the programme possible, include AECI, Siyakha Education Trust, National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), Gauteng City Region Academy (GCRA), Vodacom, Tsogo Sun, Gearhouse, Kulula.com, Nutrifruit and Shine Solutions, in partnership with Primestars Marketing.
It is said that when one door closes, a better one opens and, although it is disheartening for initiatives such as My Future My Career to come to an end, Primestars Marketing is excited to share information about the launch of their next big programme for 2017!
*Present on the day were the following dignitaries: Sibusiso Molimi – Master of Ceremonies, Zareef Minty – author/speaker/entrepreneur, Steven Smith representing Siyakha Education Trust and Bulelani Balabala – Master of Ceremonies/speaker/entrepreneur, Eve Liebetrau – executive manager: human resources at Comair Limited, Nicole Solomon – group community development at AECI Limited, Viwe Mkwizane – musician: MIAGI Footprint Trio, Dr Penny Law – dean: Regenesys Business School, Michael Kiek – Nutrifruit (Marble Gold), Nthuseng Mphahlele – executive manager: NYS and skills development at the National Youth Development Agency, Palesa Matseba – director: Gauteng City Region Academy, Ayanda Ndlazi – My Future My Career programme beneficiary, Catriona Regan – project manager: Gearhouse, Khanyo Maphumulo – performer: Flamour8, Mthobeli Tengimfene – executive head: corporate social investment projects at Vodacom Foundation, and Martin Sweet – managing director: Primestars Marketing.
