Opportunity Knocks

As co-conspirators, Industrial Psychologists Marelie Swart and Lurinda Maree had a vision of a Career Advising and Counselling Partnership which delivers professional advice that will not only give clear direction for a future career path - but also promote self-awareness and personal development. Lurinda and Marelie are passionate about family, pa... ssionate about growing capacity and capability in our country, and passionate about working together with our clients to create their own opportunities. There is a definite need for a more holistic, all-encompassing career guidance programme. The Education system in South Africa is facing serious challenges. One of the most important challenges for economic development in South Africa is to ensure that higher education can deliver against the skills demands of a developing economy. Many of our qualified graduates cannot find jobs or are not being considered for employment by businesses because they do not fit the requirements of the workplace. Who is to blame? We cannot simply continue to point the finger at Government, Universities or the School system. How much time do we spend with our young people to assist them in making career choices and ensuring that they are passionate about what they want to study? This will have a direct influence on the calibre of student we have at university and the final skills product that is delivered to the job market. The responsibility lies with young people and parents. In South Africa, most school children neither know what careers they should aspire to, nor do they understand what those careers are about. This, without a doubt, limits their decision-making ability when they select subjects in Grade 9 and continue to do so when they prepare for universityRead More