The Imbali Education and Innovation Precinct (IEIP) in collaboration with the Durban University of Technology (DUT): Department of Student Administration and Umgungundlovu TVET College (UTVET): Skills Development Academy recently held a two-day Career Guidance Campaign themed “Making wise and informed career choices” where they visited three schools. On the first day, the career guidance campaign took place at the Sukuma Comprehensive High school and Edendale Technical High School, on the second day they visited Zibukezulu Secondary School. All the high schools that were visited form part of the IEIP.
The aim of the campaign was to create awareness and expose high school learners to different studying opportunities available for them.
The DUT and Umgungundlovu TVET staff members shared invaluable information through presentations that covered the various programmes and qualifications that are offered within their institutions which learners can pursue.
Mfanozelwe Shozi: Project Manager- Imbali Education and Innovation Precinct (IEIP) welcomed everyone and unpacked the purpose of the day.
“It is indeed a great pleasure to be part of this campaign to share information that will assist our children as they are the future of the country. I would also like to emphasise that it is critical to listen attentively and grasp as much information as you can, and also ask questions for clarity,” said Shozi.
DUT Head of Department (HOD) for Student Administration: Ms Nelisiwe Ndlovu during her presentation stated that working in student administration has made her hyper-aware of the fact that every successful applicant sometimes has information gaps and lack clarity on how to accurately navigate qualification selection, application and enrolment.
“It was eye-opening to then realise that this information deficit is even larger amongst high school learners. The interesting part is that the schools we are visiting, have proximity to DUT campuses – which means that the problem is even worse for schools located in remote areas. The biggest take away is for sustainable impact, universities need to explore cultivating strong ties with secondary schools to equip teachers with information that they can then relay to the learners they teach” she said.
She went on to present about the CAO application process, different programmes and qualifications offered at DUT in Durban and Midlands Campuses.
uMgungundlovu TVET College (UTVET) Placement Officer: Dumisani Morajane also presented the different qualifications that are offered at uMgungundlovu TVET College (UTVET) and encouraged learners to not sit at home if they have not passed their matric or obtained good result because their institution also offered skills development programmes.
The presentations were followed by a questions and answers session, and then the Executive Secretary to the Midlands Campuses Director: Silindile Qwabe awarded some of the learners with gifts as a thank you gesture for participating.
Pictured: DUT Midlands staff with learners from Edendale Technical High School.
Photographer: Vusi Dlamini
Zanele Mashaba
