Once again the third annual ArcelorMittal Foundation Saldanha Science Centre Careers Expo did not disappoint.
Held at the Freeport Saldanha, the three day expo took place between Tuesday 1 to Thursday 3 October.
Focused on learners on Grade 9, 10 and 11 from various schools in the Circuit, it welcomed a total of 479 learners. According to Xavier Lawrence, manager of the Science Centre, the career expo exceeded his expectations in several ways. “The event saw greater participation from local companies and organisations than anticipated,” he said, “with 71 exhibiters demonstrating strong community interest and support. Learners were highly engaged, asking insightful questions and showing enthusiasm for the career paths presented. The diverse industries offered students various career options to explore and the hands-on experiences provided deeper insights into different professions.”
The purpose of the ArcelorMittal Foundation Saldanha Science Centre Careers Expo is to introduce learners to a wide range of career opportunities across different industries and fields. This helps them explore potential career paths they may not have considered or been aware of, networking and to expose the learners to the experts just to name a few.
Kurtley Bester, a Grade 11 learner at Weston High School, said the expo was fun and informative. “I could find more information about the medical field and what I can do with the subjects I have other than medical.”
Raylee Vraagom (Grade 11) from Diazville High School said the exposure to the variety of career choices in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths field subjects was a revelation for her. “What I learn in school and in the industry in our area, excited and motivated me,” she said.
Robyn Geldenhuys (Grade 11) from Vredenburg High School said she believes these kind of careers expos can open the minds of more learners and see what they can become with the qualities they have. “If I have learnt anything from being here it’s definitely the sort of event where people have a chance to see what universities and other institutions expect from us and what they have to offer for future careers.”
Lawrence said the exceptional collaboration among the ArcelorMittal Foundation Saldanha Science Centre and all the stakeholders – the Department of Science and Innovation, South African Agency for Science and Technolgy Advancement, Tronox, Western Cape Education Department, University of Cape Town, Freeport Saldanha, Saldanha Bay Municipality, and the Strategic Fuel Fund – made the event impactful.
Lawrence added that the vision is to continue expanding the career expo’s reach and impact, “making it a premier annual event for learners on the West Coast region.”
