CUT Career Fair aims to help generate a prepared workforce

A record number of companies, including First National Bank (FNB), South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Department of Trade and Industry (dti) registered to take part in the annual graduate recruitment event, hosted by CUT on 24-25 July 2013, at the Boet Troskie Hall, CUT Bloemfontein Campus.

"The Career Fair is a great networking event that we at CUT host annually to bring potential employers under one roof to interact and network with our students," said Prof Mabokang Monnapula-Mapesela, dean of Academic Development and Support in her address at the official opening of the Career Fair.

A growing event providing important opportunities to graduates and employers alike

The first Career Fair in 2006 brought about only 16 employers. In 2013 the fair has attracted over 41 companies to showcase their portfolios and career opportunities for CUT students. It gives students the opportunity to meet face-to-face with employers, explore different companies, get more information about various industries, and learn more about job opportunities.

"We have built strong relationships with government, business and industry and I am glad to say we broke the record this year in terms of a record number of employers who are involved in the Career Fair 2013. I am sure that our students will be recruited and considered for employment after these two days," Monnapula-Mapesela concluded.

Present at the official opening was Dr Herman Mashaba, a CUT alumnus and founder of Black Like Me. Mashaba presented his personal tribulations and triumphs as a young man growing up in the old South Africa where opportunities for development were few and far between. Unlike the youth of today, Mashaba said that he and many of his peers never had the same opportunities to attend a university of their choice.

CUT Human Resources Management students also assisted with the preparation of student recruitment by managing a CV Clinic, where they gave advice on CV-writing to other CUT students.

"The annual Career Fair is not only limited to graduate recruitment, but also an opportunity for attendees to build strategic partnerships and address the business development needs of the Free State Province," said Prof. Henk De Jager, deputy vice-chancellor: Academic of CUT. "This event helps to generate an industry-ready workforce."

For more information, go to www.cut.ac.za.

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