By Luzamo Sandlana
TCTA joined a career expo at Moruleng Stadium to help Grade 9 and Grade 11 learners explore study options and make more informed career choices. From 19 to 22 May, high school learners from nearby schools gathered at Moruleng Stadium in the North West to explore study options and future career pathways.
Learners moved between exhibition tables, asking questions and engaging representatives from companies, public entities and higher education institutions about the opportunities available to them. TCTA participated as part of its commitment to education and youth development. Other participating organisations included Standard Bank, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, North West University and the South African Police Service.
Provincial Curriculum Specialist and event organiser Neo Moraka explained that the initiative was introduced after officials noted that, despite strong pass rates, many young people in the province still needed support in choosing career paths.
“This year, we invited pupils from Grade 9 and Grade 11, as we want them to start early in identifying what they want to study. We noticed that many pupils struggle to choose a career path when they reach Grade 12. This is why we start guiding them as early as possible,” he said.
Dudu Moremi, Florence Ndhundhuma and Gabriel Maile represented TCTA at the exhibition stand, where they answered learners’ questions and shared information about the organisation’s work and potential career pathways in the water sector.
Mr Maile described being part of the expo as fulfilling, noting that it reinforced the importance of early-career guidance.
“I am happy that TCTA participates in these initiatives, and I hope we managed to make some difference during the event,” he added.
Grade 11 learner Paballo Mosepele from Gaopotlake High School left the expo with a broader view of the career options available to him.
“For the longest time, I thought I wanted to study teaching because I was not aware of how many choices were available to me,” he said. “Now that I have attended this career expo, I am more openminded and can start to think seriously about my career path and make more informed decisions.”
