Career clubs to connect learners to the world of work
17 November 2023
The Western Cape Education Department’s Life Orientation team has launched the Career Clubs programme as part of the Western Cape Government’s Growth for Jobs (G4J) Strategy.
The flagship programme seeks to improve access to economic opportunities and employability (skills and education, transport, housing etc.). The focus is to enhance career preparation and work-readiness competencies and skills through Life Orientation.
The launch on 9 November 2023 in Cape Town was attended by Representative Councils of Learners (RCLs), teacher unions, Western Cape universities, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges, private colleges, industry partners, publishers, Governing Body organisations and the Department of Economic Development and Tourism.
A learner from Zwelethemba High School in Worcester spoke of the importance of the programme for learners.
The career clubs are designed to bring a whole-school focus on careers. For example, Science teachers will provide information on exciting careers that are linked to the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects and Economics teachers will address the demands of the country’s economy and the careers in that sector.
Secondly, it will allow the learners the opportunity and an enabling platform to take ownership of establishing their career paths. The career clubs allow them to invite people from a variety of professions outside the conventional ones to address learners.
Thirdly, it will motivate teachers to become more creative and innovative in dealing with career planning with their learners. Fourthly, a key focus of the Career Clubs will be getting learners to fully understand the significance of entrepreneurship in their communities and its impact on job-creation in those communities, the country and internationally.
In mid-January, the WCED will launch the district Career Clubs programme across all eight education districts. This will be followed by several career expo’s, stakeholder engagements and teacher training.
