The Central Johannesburg College for Public Further Education and Training is hosting its third annual Job Fair on 30 November 2010 at the Parktown Campus. Sponsored by the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services (merSETA) and in partnership with the Association of Personnel Service Organisation (APSO), the CJC Job Fair 2010 ‘Discovering Potential’ is a strategic workforce development collaboration.
“Further Education and Training Colleges have been positioned by the Minister of Higher Educating and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande, to collaborate with SETAs towards accelerated skills and artisan development to meet 2014 Millennium Goals. As part of their mandate, FET colleges have developed strategies to align themselves to the education, economic and social development priorities at the local government and national levels. The Central Johannesburg College, through its Centre for Employment and Entrepreneurship Development (CEED) aims to introduce the Job Fair concept in the new landscape of strategic convergence of FET colleges, SETAs and universities to realise the framework of Occupational Learning Systems” says Motsumi Makhene, Principal of Central Johannesburg College.
The CJC partnership with APSO for CJC Job Fair 2010 creates a dynamic collaboration between FET colleges and employers, through recruitment firms, to contribute towards the identification and coordination of employment opportunities for exit students and alumni. “CJC Job Fair presents a perfect opportunity to bridge the gap between the world-of-work and education by building a system of talent search among FET college graduates. Critical in the said system is the pre-job fair training and preparation of exit level students and alumni in an intensive program of career and job readiness clinics to complement weaknesses in the curriculum and enhance foundations of employability,” says Makhene.
The fair will take the form of an exhibition where businesses from both the public and private sectors will be able to showcase their companies and allow their Human Resources (HR) and Skills Development personnel to meet with students to discuss opportunities within their organisations. A seminar where volunteer speakers will share their experiences on career, interview skills, employee values and related topics will run concurrently to the exhibition. In addition the merSETA and CJC will share the latest information on skills development and opportunities for labour market collaboration with the participating companies.
Over 500 Central Johannesburg College exiting students and alumni who have completed the Job Fair Training Programme have been invited to attend the Job Fair where 40 businesses will be exhibiting. CJC’s FET students are required to complete 18 months on-the-job training before they can graduate and it is hoped that the Job Fair will give them access to internship opportunities as well as prospects for long-term employment following graduation. Entrepreneurial development and mentorship will be encouraged to address the high unemployment rate by creating more self-employable graduates.
For more information on the CJC Job Fair 2010 please e-mail jobfair2010@cjcceed.com or alternatively contact the CJC Job Fair Manager Koki Kassaye on 011-642-1993.
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