Skills Fair, Career Clinics Hailed

Lebogang Mosikare | Monday March 12, 2018 18:51

The skills fair and careers clinic was hosted by the Human Resource and Development Council (HRDC).

Learners who have completed their secondary education in recent years participated in the event. Almost all tertiary institutions, government and private, in the country exhibited at the event.

The learners’ insatiable hunger for education was clearly visible in their eyes as they moved from stall to stall enquiring about courses to study in future.

Lorato Kgosidiile and her friends travelled from Selebi-Phikwe to attend the fair. Kgosidiile, who amassed 46 points in the Botswana General Certificate of Education (BGCSE), said she initially wanted to study nursing then subsequently pursue a career in the health sector.

She however made a U-turn after getting advice from admissions officials at the University of Botswana (UB) stall.

Indeed the saying that a skills fair and career clinic provide a unique opportunity for people to engage institutions of higher learning and corporate world is true.

Kgosidiile said: “After I went to the UB stall, a career guidance officer told me that since I obtained an A in English, my chances of being admitted to study law were higher as opposed to studying other courses although I had passed all my subjects with flying colours”. She said after careful reflection, she decided to pursue law studies, a decision fuelled in part by her passion for human rights.

“The skills fair and careers clinics gave me the opportunity to explore possibilities of what course and ultimately career I should pursue in future. I have no doubt that through this fair, I have made an astute decision about my future,” said a delighted Kgosidiile.

Other prospective tertiary institutions students told The Monitor that they found the career fair informative because it brought clarity about the requirements of the different fields of study that they are interested in.

Parents who were interviewed by this publication said that during their formative years, there were no career fairs and, therefore, little or no information about what courses or careers to pursue existed.

They added that they ended up studying courses that they had little or no information about only to realise that they made wrong career choices in future when it was too late to change career paths.

The chief executive officer (CEO) of HRDC Dr Raphael Dingalo said the fair gave them the opportunity to interact with various stakeholders to share ideas. Dingalo said so during a dinner that was organised for various stakeholders of the HRDC at Marang Hotel.

“This platform gives us the opportunity to interact in an informal way to discuss the development of the country’s human capital. We want you to assist us on how best we can improve our mandate. I have complete confidence that you will assist us in that regard,” he said.

Another HRDC official Dr Ella Matshediso thanked the media for disseminating information about the fair. She was happy that many people attended this year’s event as compared to the year before.