'My Future, My Career' gets a boost from NYDA

The initiative is run through a partnership between the Department of Basic Education, Primestars Marketing and Nedbank as the main sponsor.

NYDA CEO Steven Ngubeni said the aim of 'My Future, My Career' is to provide learners from grades nine to 12 the opportunity to gain insight into a wide range of career options.

"This is achieved through cinema screenings of 16 career profiles in fields such as arts and culture, transport, mining and engineering, amongst others, at Ster-Kinekor Cinemas nationally. These screenings take place on selected Sunday mornings during February and March annually," said Ngubeni.

He said this also provided young people an opportunity to be exposed to careers in neglected fields, which could lead to the youth playing a key role in overcoming the current and projected skills shortage and the high rate of unemployment in South Africa.

The programme has assisted over 150,000 pupils from previously disadvantaged secondary schools nationally, who were transported to the weekly screenings.

Ngubeni said the initiative offered learners first-hand insight into various careers through panel-type discussions from the perspective of individuals and academics and in this way, "learners are able to grasp an understanding of both the course and study requirements, while providing a personal account of the industry and work involved in various professions".

Ngubeni said the 'My future, My Career' was well suited to the NYDA's core role of initiating, facilitating, implementing, coordinating and monitoring youth development interventions aimed at reducing youth unemployment and promoting social cohesion.

"We are thrilled to be involved in this project again, which is aimed at ensuring the youth of South Africa are able to make informed career choices, which not only eases the transition from school to tertiary and tertiary to work but also ensures that young people can become active contributors to the South African economy."

The NYDA is a government agency responsible for advancing youth development through guidance and support initiatives across all sectors of society and spheres of government.