Kouga Working World Careers Expo returns to Jeffreys Bay in April

Kouga Working World Careers Expo returns to Jeffreys Bay in April

Career expo launched to empower youth

To empower high school learners and unemployed youth, Kouga Municipality has partnered with the Working World Exhibition to provide the necessary resources for transitioning into education, training, and meaningful employment.

Together, they are organising the inaugural Kouga Careers Expo, scheduled at Mentorskraal in Jeffreys Bay on April 10 and 11.

The Kouga Careers Expo in Jeffreys Bay follows its sister event, the Working World Expo, at the Feather Market Centre in Gqeberha in February, which has been empowering young people for over 25 years.

Andrew Binning, CEO of Inkanyezi Events, organisers and facilitators of Working World Exhibitions, stated that the event is more than just a career expo; it’s about instilling hope in young people regarding their future.

“We often tell young people that there are many opportunities available to them, and it’s important for them to be proactive about their future,” said Binning.

He highlighted the collective effort required to make the exhibition successful, underscoring the need for collaboration among different entities.

Binning was pleased with the partnership between Working World and Kouga Municipality as the primary hosting partner.

“I believe that if businesses, government, education, and civil society can all collaborate to tackle issues of unemployment and poverty, focusing on motivating young people, then we have fulfilled our role,” said Binning.

He noted that while the exhibition might not end unemployment, it provides an opportunity for learners to engage directly with various information sources.

The event, scheduled for April 10 from 08:30 to 18:00 and April 11 from 08:30 to 15:30, is open to high school learners and unemployed youth eager to engage with different organisations.

Although the exhibition is free for everyone, Binning recommended that learners in Grades 11 and 12 attend.

He also suggested that Grade 9 students could benefit as they refine their subject choices.

The exhibition will focus on four key components:

. Working World Exhibition

. Working World Workbook

. Briefing sessions

. Career counselling

Elaborating on the workbook, Binning mentioned that it is provided free of charge, sponsored by the Coega Development Corporation, and linked to the life orientation curriculum.

The workbook serves as a valuable resource and will be discussed during the briefing sessions.

“During the briefing session, we go through the workbook with the learners, explain the type of information available at the expo, and encourage teachers to assign tasks to learners post-expo,” Binning added.

He welcomed learners to visit with their parents, though schools with larger groups are advised to book a slot online with the Working World Exhibition before the event to secure their place.

Binning expressed his hopes that, given the success of the exhibition, it will become an annual tradition in Kouga. Kouga Municipality Executive Mayor, Hattingh Bornman, emphasised the importance of learner attendance to explore various career opportunities.

He mentioned that as a municipality, they are committed to delivering exceptional basic services to stimulate economic growth, support businesses, and generate jobs for locals.

Bornman noted that many opportunities are currently available in the region and across the country, with the exhibition serving as a gateway for young individuals to expand their horizons.

“I’d like to extend an invitation to schools to attend the exhibition. The number of opportunities in our region is incredible, encompassing small and large businesses and various industries,” stated Bornman.

Gayle Novem, the Deputy Principal at Lungiso Public School in Humansdorp, mentioned that they had participated in the career exhibition held in Gqeberha and have integrated the Working World Workbook into classroom activities, significantly benefiting the learners.

She expressed relief that the exhibition is now being hosted closer to their location, minimising transport needs to Gqeberha.

Novem highlighted that the exhibition has aided many learners in applying for bursaries and addressing their career-related questions when needed.

“The information provided at previous exhibitions has greatly benefited our learners,” Novem said.

by Razaan Plaatjies, Kouga Express, 3 February 2025

Inaugural Kouga Careers Expo 2025 inspires a generation

Kouga – The inaugural Kouga Careers Expo 2025, held from 10 to 11 April 2025 at Mentors Country Estate in Jeffreys Bay, concluded on a high note, marking a milestone for youth development and employment access in the Kouga region.

The event drew an impressive turnout, with 11 high schools from across the region in attendance, alongside 53 exhibitors representing a broad spectrum of professions, training institutions, and government agencies. Hundreds of additional walk-in visitors also participated, making the two-day event a transformative and impactful experience for all.

Spearheaded by the Kouga Local Municipality’s Special Programmes Unit in the Office of the Executive Mayor, in partnership with Inkanyezi and Mentors Country Estate, the expo provided a dynamic platform where senior learners and unemployed youth could connect with representatives from academia, business, and government.

A Proud Moment for Kouga

Kouga Executive Mayor, Hattingh Bornman, expressed deep pride in the success of the inaugural event. “It is with immense pride that we welcomed the first-ever Kouga Careers Expo 2025 to our municipality,” he said.

“This initiative has been a beacon of hope and a testament to what we can achieve when we work together with a shared vision. I am incredibly proud of the hard work, dedication, and passion shown by our municipal team and partners in making this event a reality.”

He emphasised the broader significance of the expo, calling it a catalyst for long-term change in the region.

“By equipping our youth with essential career guidance, training opportunities, and employment resources, we are not only investing in their futures but actively shaping a more resilient and economically vibrant Kouga. This is the kind of meaningful development that truly matters.”

A Platform for Growth and Development

Over the two days, visitors benefited from a wide array of free services and interactive exhibits, including:

• Career Counselling & Assessments: In-person guidance and digital career assessment tools offering personalised reports.
• Department of Education-Aligned Guidance: Tools and resources designed to complement the Grade 12 Life Orientation curriculum, providing structured career planning support.
• Exhibitions & Networking Opportunities: A chance to meet face-to-face with potential employers, higher learning institutions, SETAs, the Department of Labour, and various community-based organisations.

The expo enabled students to discover diverse career pathways while providing businesses and institutions an opportunity to engage with future talent, demonstrate corporate social responsibility, and contribute directly to the fight against youth unemployment.

Looking Ahead: A Yearly Commitment

Given the overwhelming success and community impact of this year’s event, plans are already underway to establish the Kouga Careers Expo as an annual fixture on the region’s calendar.

“This is just the beginning,” Bornman said. “We are committed to growing this platform year by year, ensuring that it continues to serve as a bridge between potential and opportunity for the youth of Kouga.”