The BHP Billiton Career Centre at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Johannesburg is offering psychometric testing and career workshops to young people to help them make decisions about their study or career paths.
The comprehensive centre is designed to meet the vocational guidance needs of learners and school leavers across Gauteng.
According to the centre’s senior educational psychologist, Dr Tumi Diale, many make the wrong study and career choices as “they make these choices based on what they see from others, what parents, family, friends and teachers say and their perceptions of those careers.”
“However, they don’t take into consideration their abilities, interests, personalities and values in choosing a career path, which makes them end up in the wrong career fields.”
The career centre recommends psychometric testing to anyone who is unsure of their study or career path. Diale describes psychometric testing as: “A standardised educational and psychological battery of tests used for measuring intelligence, aptitude or personality. It includes the measurement of an individual’s knowledge, abilities, attitudes, and traits.”
The results are put through a set procedure of research-based methods of analysis. Grade nine learners may undergo subject choice assessments, whereas grades 10 to 12 learners are eligible for a career assessment. Post-matric learners who are still not sure of their career choices are also encouraged to do the career assessment.
In addition to psychometric testing, the centre is holding a series of workshops called “Launch your career” in an attempt to equip learners with up-to-date career knowledge.
Psychometric assessments may be booked with the BHP Billiton Career Centre at 011 639 8400. The assessments are free of charge.