By: Nonhlanhla Mbonambi
Joburg Market recently participated in the Youth Career Expo held at the Bosmont Recreation Centre in Crum Region B. Organized by the People Against Poverty and Unemployment (PAPU) organization, the program aimed to empower young people by highlighting career opportunities to help them upskill themselves and contribute to their communities.
JM Hall Manager, Boitumelo Legadimana, shared valuable insights into career paths linked to the market. These included roles such as buyers for wholesalers and supermarkets, requiring strong negotiation skills, and traders who sell fruits and vegetables by sourcing stock from the market.
“I advise the youth to take advantage of the EPWP program that is available at the market. Through this program, employees are groomed for different skills, and with dedication and a strong work ethic, they can be absorbed into various departments at Joburg Market,” said Legadimana.
Director of Sekwanele and Letchman Education Solutions, Ashwan Letchman stressed the importance of higher education for improved job prospects.
“With an NQF level 4 (Grade 12), your opportunities in the job market are limited due to high competition. A young person with a higher qualification stands a much better chance of securing the same job you’re applying for,” Letchman explained.
Youth Directorate speaker, Lucas Sebei, encouraged attendees to utilize government study bursaries to empower themselves through education.
“Apply for bursaries to study so that you tick all the boxes for entry-level jobs. We are working on a system to ensure people over the age of 35 do not qualify for entry-level positions, and we’re advocating for the removal of the two-year work experience requirement for such jobs,” Sebei said.
He added that, as representatives of the youth, they are committed to improving the lives of young people by creating opportunities that promote financial independence and employment.
This impactful session left a positive impression, inspiring young attendees to explore their talents and skills, making them better prepared for employment opportunities
