Matrics Learn About the World of Work

MORE THAN ONE-THOUSAND matric candidates from across the Western Cape are attending workshops to prepare for the world of work, organised by the Western Cape Education Department (WCED).

Education MEC Cameron Dugmore will today (Monday 28 November), at 14h00 visit one of these workshop sessions at the Fezeka Secondary School in Gugulethu.

The WCED's Education Management and Development Centres (EMDCs) in each district have organised the workshops for matric candidates who do not intend studying further in 2006. The workshops are among Premier Ebrahim Rasool's "Krismisbox Deliverables".

The purpose of the workshops is to provide learners who will enter the job-market with the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes they need to become successful candidates for possible job opportunities, said Jenny Rault-Smith, Director of Curriculum Development at the WCED.

The workshop will focus on various topics, including job requirements, self-exploration/PACE exercise, maintaining a job, interview skills, conflict management, Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Trends in South Africa and Western Cape, job searching/interpreting adverts and introduction and confidence building exercises and communication skills.

The workshop will also help students to know about the kind of job that would suit their interests and characters.

Said Ms Rault-Smith: "Learners will explore themselves to discover how they see themselves and how other people see them. The facilitator asks participants to write in the workbook all their exceptional qualities that make them unique referring to their body, mind and spirit. This activity is private and they do not have to share this". The workshops would help learners prioritize their goals well, she said.

The workshops began last week and continues this week. Where possible, the WCED would ensure that two presenters are available at every venue.

The WCED informed schools of the workshops by way of circulars and posted notices at all examination centres. Learners will be supplied with lunch-packs on both days.

The WCED decided to organise the workshops following a meeting with representatives of commerce and industry who expressed a concern that matriculants do not have sufficient job-hunting skills.

During the workshop learners are being taught how to write CVs, how to conduct themselves during interviews and how to handle rejection. Participants in the workshop will be exposed to a mock interviewing process, Ms Rault-Smith said.

"Participants will be divided into groups of five which will include interviewee and four panelists. They will study the CV before the applicant occupies chair. They will decide which questions to ask and award points as they see fit," she said.

Participants would be taught about the role of entrepreneurs, the skills required to start one's own business, and the resources available to aspirant entrepreneurs. Participants are also being taught about the Basic Employment Act.

For enquiries, contact Gert Witbooi 082 550 3938.

Gert Witbooi
Media Liaison Officer
Office of the MEC for Education
Western Cape
Tel: 021 467 2523
Fax: 021 425 5689
Visit our website: wced.wcape.gov.za