Colleen Goko
NEDBANK yesterday launched a R3.5-million career guidance programme‚ which will benefit 24000 pupils from Grade 9 to matric from underprivileged communities across the country.
The My Future‚ My Career programme is in its fourth year and is a collaborative effort between businesses in the private sector and public sector groups.
Addressing the gathering of sponsors of the programme such as Exarro‚ Total Coal SA and the National Youth Development Agency, Higher Education and Training deputy minister Mduduzi Manana said it was heartening to see partnerships between the public and private sector working for a better future.
"We are happy to be part of this initiative. Young people need to make informed career choices and in order to make those decisions they need a credible source of information. The department has tried to make this information accessible through its call centre and its website.
"We have also utilised MXit and Facebook and we launched a mobi site for those who could not access the internet from a computer. My Future‚ My Career is another way we can help get realistic information to them‚" he said.
The programme is presented in sixteen episodes at Ster-Kinekor cinemas‚ which have been selected for their accessibility to pupils. Each episode profiles one industry and the numerous career choices available in the chosen field.
Nedbank divisional executive for corporate social responsibility Kone Gugushe said more than 100000 pupils had been reached over the programme's lifespan and more than R13-million had been invested in the last four years. "It is our responsibility to empower students," she said.
