The University of Venda (Univen) will provide learners in rural areas with career and study counselling next week when it launches the first of two exhibitions at the Makhado College of Education in Nzhelele, Limpopo.
Matriculants, grade 12 learners and their parents will be able to quiz representatives of traditional universities, universities of technology, further education and training (FET) colleges, parastatals and public-sector departments about their options.
In offering this service, Univen is responding to a national need most recently articulated by Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande. Releasing his green paper on post-school education and training in January, he deplored the lack of adequate counselling for most young South Africans on career and study options.
Schoolchildren in particular needed better information about what the options were for 16- to 24-year-olds, he said.
About 20 000 learners are expected to attend this year’s exhibitions, said Univen spokesperson Takalani Dzaga, who confirmed the lack of appropriate career counselling for many.
“There are plenty of schools who don’t provide career counselling at all,” Dzaga said. “When they come to our exhibitions most learners don’t know anything about careers.”
Univen invites other institutions to their exhibitions so students can decide on the best institutions and courses for themselves, Dzaga said. “It is imperative for learners to be exposed to different careers in order to make informed decisions.”
The second phase of the exhibition will be held on Univen’s campus in Thohoyandou in May.
For more information phone 082 924 5327.