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.”

Do not miss the first Kouga Careers Expo 2025

Kouga – Kouga Local Municipality is proud to announce the inaugural Kouga Careers Expo 2025 – a transformative event designed to empower the region’s youth and create pathways to success.

Taking place on 10 and 11 April 2025 at Mentors Country Estate in Jeffreys Bay, this groundbreaking exhibition will offer career guidance, training opportunities, and employment resources for senior learners and unemployed youth.

Entry to the exhibition is free.

Kouga Executive Mayor, Hattingh Bornman, will officially open the event, with Shadow MEC for Basic Education, MPL Horatio Hendricks, in attendance.

Engage, Network, and Explore

The Kouga Careers Expo 2025 extends a warm invitation to all stakeholders –

including learners, parents, business owners, residents, and both employed and unemployed individuals.

This event is more than just a career exhibition, it is a platform for growth, networking, and unlocking new possibilities.

“Kouga’s future lies in the hands of our young people, and it is our responsibility to equip them with the tools they need to succeed,” said Kouga Executive Mayor, Hattingh Bornman. “This expo is a testament to our commitment to education, skills development, and employment opportunities. I encourage all members of our community to attend, engage, and be part of this initiative that will shape the future of our region.”

Building a Sustainable Future

The expo is a collaborative effort spearheaded by Kouga Local Municipality’s Special Programmes Unit in the Office of the Executive Mayor, in partnership with Inkanyezi and Mentors Country Estate. It aims to bridge the gap between young individuals and key stakeholders in academia, business, and government, fostering a stronger, more sustainable local economy.

What to Expect at the Expo

This two-day event will feature a dynamic range of interactive and informative opportunities, all free of charge to schools and visitors:

• Career Counselling & Assessments – Personalized guidance, including online career assessments with instant, detailed reports.
• Department of Education-Approved Guidance – A comprehensive tool aligned with the Grade 12 Life Orientation syllabus, offering step-by-step career planning support.
• Exhibitions & Networking – Direct engagement with employers, educational institutions, government agencies (including the Department of Labour and SETAs), and community-based organisations.

“This event is about creating opportunities for everyone, whether you are a student exploring career paths, a job seeker looking for employment prospects, or a business owner eager to connect with emerging talent,” added Bornman. “By coming together, we can build a future where every individual in Kouga has the chance to thrive.”

Careers and Skills Development Initiative in Kouga

The Kouga Local Municipality has partnered with Inkanyezi Event Organisers to host the Working World Exhibition in Jeffrey’s Bay on April 10 and 11.

The Kouga Working World Exhibition is an interactive event that provides unemployed youth, school-leavers, teachers and parents within the region with world-class career guidance and work-related resources.

These include the physical presence of educational institutions, government departments, skills development agencies and employers from whom visitors will receive career related resources.

A key feature of the Kouga Working World Exhibition is the Career Guidance Café which offers learners free access to personal career support and an online career assessment via laptops. Based on the inputs provided in the assessment, the system will provide users with an immediate report on suggested career paths, learning options and specific jobs aligned with their values, academic performance and preferences.

Other features include the participation of the Department of Labour and Employment’s Mobile Careers Centre, the presence of the Kouga local municipality’s directorates and a full display of vocations in the South African Police Services.

Exhibitors include TVET colleges, universities, skills providers, finance institutions and employers.

Additional resources that will be made available to visitors at the Kouga Working World Expo is a Career Guidance Booklet that contains essential information about planning a career.

The Initiative is endorsed and supported by organised business, the Eastern Cape Department of Education and a range of corporate and civic organisations.

Kouga Executive Mayor Cllr Hattingh Bornman said the inaugural Working World Exhibition to the region, “underscored Kouga Local Municipality’s commitment to empowering youth and shaping a brighter future for all.”

“Youth unemployment remains one of the most critical challenges we face. This event aims to tackle it head-on by providing school-leavers and unemployed youth with vital career guidance, training opportunities, and access to funding resources. It also fosters collaboration among academia, business, society, and government, all while strengthening the socio-economic fabric of our community.”

“Career planning is the foundation of job creation, and Kouga Local Municipality is proud to champion this cause. By making this an annual event, we reaffirm our dedication to inspiring career thinking and driving meaningful change in our region,’’ he said,

Access to the Kouga Working World Exhibition at Mentor’s Kraal is free to all visitors on

10th April from 08:30 – 18:00 and on the 11^th April from 08:30 – 16:00.

email: support@inkanyezi.co.za