Job fair gives hope to unemployed
OCTOBER 1 saw the conclusion of the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) five day Job Fair initiative which aimed at linking young people with prospective work opportunities.
The gathering took place at Wembley Stadium, south of Johannesburg, where hundreds of temporarily employed individuals who for two years have been training as homework assistants and sports coaches by GDE through the ESSP programme, attended in high hopes of securing permanent employment.
The job fair reportedly, mainly targets 17028 Homework and Sports assistants as well as Arts & Culture Assistants employed by the department in schools through the Extended Public Works Programme (ESSP).
As they reach the end of their ESSP contracts in March 2014, many say that a feeling of unease has dawned on them fearing possible unemployment in the weeks ahead. While they were transported to the venue by buses organised by GDE, they admit they have no idea if they will leave the Job Fair with solid work prospects or with nothing more than empty promises.
“We’re expecting to leave this place closer to getting permanent positions at companies but preferable in the Government Sector,” said the hopefuls.
Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), MEC, Barbara Creecy, gave a congratulatory message: “The department responded to the President’s call to provide opportunities to unemployed youth in collaboration with the Department of Infrastructure through the Extended Public Works Programme.
One of the most significant factors in youth unemployment is social marginalization that isolates job seekers from work and training opportunities. This Job Fair aims to assist young people to overcome isolation by linking those who have already had work experience in GDE to prospective employers.” Forty different employers and training institutions exhibited at the Jobs Fair including some state owned enterprises, FET colleges and government departments. Participants were expected to benefit through development of their resumés and apply for jobs best suitable for their careers.
Qualified workers were expected to use ICTs to seek for jobs, not only in the country but all over the world and workers were also exposed to different careers at the event with the purpose of matching their talents with what was available in the job market. Others received career guidance at workshops which were conducted to assist the workers to make the correct career choices as well as to equip them with knowledge to be able to apply for jobs at the exhibiting companies where there were vacancies and to receive professional development opportunities.
“To date the Department has provided basic training to 16 000 assistants and more advanced training to 3 288 workers who qualified to receive bursaries and attend part time classes at FET colleges and UNISA. The ETDP SETA has been a significant partner in the delivery of this programme,” added Creecy.
