Opportunities open up for youth at YearBeyond expo

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GEORGE NEWS - The George Civic Centre was abuzz on Tuesday 5 November when several hundred young people attended a YearBeyond Opportunities Expo.

Some 40 businesses and government departments manned stalls where the youths could interact with staff about career or study opportunities available after they complete the YearBeyond programme. The expo is offered annually and exclusively for Yeboneers.

YearBeyond is a youth service that provides young people between 18 and 25 years old with meaningful work experience and a pathway to further studies or work, while at the same time encouraging a culture of community service.

The service is a partnership between Government, the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), donors, and non-governmental organisations.

In George the programme is spearheaded by Debbie Bruce of Womb to Tomb.

Speed dating.

Bruce said the expo facilitates quick connections for future opportunities and increases the chances of immediate connections that can lead to learnerships, job offers, study opportunities or further recruitment.

"At last year's expo we had an 82% success rate of young people who either found a job or moved on to study further."

A number of businesses and departments with definite opportunities also did 'speed dating' with the 'Rising Stars', who are Yeboneers who have met certain criteria. "Every year many job offers follow the 'speed dating'."

GALLERY: Opportunities Expo for youth helps with choices about their future

Yvonne Rademeyer of Cultural Care Au Pair chatting to interested youth about au pairing opportunities.

"We have also brought in an entrepreneurship stall that provides information about starting your own business or doing a hustle if you can't find a job," said Bruce.

Also part of the Opportunities Expo this year was a delegation from the Department of Education who interacted with and encouraged youngsters interested in a career in teaching.

Youth Gareth Tembe (right) had many questions for Nathan Bosman, who manned the stall of the Independent Electoral Commission.

Some members of the YearBeyond team, from left: Noxolo Ngomane (Pathway and Progression Unit coordinator), Debbie Bruce (Womb to Tomb Development Centre director who implements the YearBeyond programme in George) and Robert Davids (Pathway and Progression Unit manager).