The Panyanda Lifestyle Park, will tomorrow host an Inaugural Masvingo Career Expo (Friday 28 July 2023) under the theme, “Harnessing the Potential of Youth in Zimbabwe”. The Expo will also host a high-level dialogue and engagement platform that seeks to find ways of putting into practice known and novel strategies of making informed career development choices to catapult the Masvingo youth on the right career development path.
Veteran Public Relations and Communication expert who is also the Coordinator for the Carrier Guidance Expo Priscilla Zvobgo highlighted that ‘the career options which exist for today’s youth are many and varied and this has seen young people working to accumulate education, qualifications and skills that will position them to find decent work. However, rapid changes in demand for labor (due to automation, digitalization, globalization, population ageing, the green transition, and the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic) makes decision-making about education and training options much more difficult. Many youths are however not aware of the careers that neither are available to them, nor are they able to determine which career option may be best suited for them. Both factors contribute to uninformed decision making among our youth.’
Zvobgo reiterated that ‘with many new occupations emerging and many existing ones changing or diminishing, young people need heightened support as they prepare themselves for working life. Various surveys have shown that many young people are actively reconsidering their career plans. Effective career guidance helps individuals to reach their full capabilities and also economies to become more effective and societies to become objective. It is critical as they make choices about education and training and to career basket within the labor market. There is therefore a need, in Masvingo Province, to provide youth with a forum to learn about the different career options available to them’ she adds
Some of the notable dignitaries to grace the event are The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Hon Ezra Chadzamira, The Regency Leisure Group Managing Director Advocate Eddison Zvobgo Jr, WEDO Provincial Ambassador Benonia Machavuda. Officials from Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education
More than 25 institutions are participating at the Expo and some of them include Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Reformed Church University, US Embassy, Econet Group, Indian Embassy, Great Zimbabwe University, Masvingo Polytechnic, CBZ, Telone,Jadecon Engineering , Saratoga Makausi, ZRP, ZNA among others.
A survey in 2016 on the Labour Market by the European Centre for Development of Vocational Training highlighted that youth are relying on friends and the internet for support and information to make career choices. The Masvingo Career Guidance Expo will therefore ensure that youth are given accurate and appropriate information about the labour market and career trends in Zimbabwe and the world over.
The purpose of the event is to highlight available or potential opportunities and services for students from a variety of backgrounds. Whether someone is looking at the degree programmes in universities or other tertiary institutions, graduating from a college/ tertiary institution program, high school students looking at options after graduating from high school, unemployed, underemployed, or re-entering the workforce, there will be a little something for everyone.
The Career Guidance Expo therefore aims to educate the youth about many career options available to them at various education levels. To assist both in and out-of-school youth with making career choices. To inform youth of regional, national and international career opportunities. To involve industry representatives in explaining what they do and how youth could contribute to, or work within, the presented career area. To provide current and relevant labor market information to youth.
To involve communities in the education and career planning process for youth. To reduce the trial-and-error approach to decision making by youth. To create a local forum for industry, education, the community, parents and youth to shape career development.
The Career Guidance Expo will focus on high School Students in form 4-6 from schools within and around Masvingo City. Students at Tertiary and Vocational Institutions in Masvingo as well as unemployed Youths.
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