​The career exhibition hosted by the Public Employment Services unit at Lichtenburg and Potchefstroom Labour Centres respectively attracted over 500 youth and work-seekers, with different institutions of higher learning and funders such as the NYDA, Universities, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges; Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETA) invited to impart information that would assist them to broaden their horizons and consider other opportunities.

These career exhibitions are part of the Department’s ongoing efforts to reduce unemployment by creating favourable platforms that allows the youth and work-seekers an opportunity to meet with potential employers and to expand their networks; and also gain valuable insight about different career opportunities that includes learnerships, Internships, apprenticeships, bursaries and entrepreneurship.

According to the Director PES in the North West Slindile Nkiwane, the youth are the asset that should be protected and nurtured so as to develop a better and well informed cohort of future adults who will be able to take the economy of the country to greater heights.

"A high turnout of youth and work seekers attending events such as these should not be celebrated as it confirms a high number of unemployment that the country is facing. However, it is also encouraging to see that work seekers, especially the youth are determined to stand up and seek information that will turn their lives around" said Nkiwane.

These career exhibitions came just after Statistics South Africa (stats SA) issued the Quarterly Labour Force Survey results for the second quarter of 2022 which indicated a slight but significant decrease in the rate of unemployment in the country. The unemployment rate decreased by 0.6% from 34.5%.

"This is great news; it shows that the country is herding somewhere in fighting this social ill. The impact of these is felt by those that were assisted and that gives courage in knowing that someone’s life has been changed." Nkiwane continued.

She further encouraged employers to use the PES services for the recruitment of employees, internship candidates and self-empowerment opportunities.

"Our services are free and include registration of work seekers, registration of opportunities by employers, match and placing work seekers with available opportunities. Moreover, work seekers are provided with career counselling services, which include psychometric assessment and job preparation.　 After we have done all these, an employer will be provided with curriculum vitae of people who match the available opportunities and will then complete their recruitment process by shortlisting, interviewing and appointing the qualifying individual, saving them time and advertising costs".

"The work seekers can also access the available opportunities such as work and learning opportunities; and self-employment initiatives by registering on the online portal found on the Department’s website, www.labour.gov.za. Both employers and work seekers can also visit any of the Department’s offices to be assisted with registration", she concluded.