Penwell Dlamini

Penwell Dlamini

Matriculants will now have a clearer idea on deciding about their future careers, thanks to the Start Here campaign by Umsobomvu Youth Fund.

The campaign has been launched to help matriculants with career counselling and development. It aims to give them information on skills development and links young people to opportunities around skills development, employment or starting a business. The focus will be on unemployed young people across the country, particularly those who have just finished matric.

Umsobomvu partnership specialist Andre Pietersen said the campaign would help matriculants to plan for their futures.

"For school-leavers it is hard to decide whether to study further, search for a job or start a business," he said.

"This is where we come in to the youth's rescue."

Since the beginning of the year, Umsobomvu has deployed additional career guidance counsellors at its youth advisory centres across the country.

Visits will also be made to schools upon request.

Pupils in lower grades are also encouraged to come and get counselling for free.

The youth will also receive coaching on job interviews.

Umsobomvu has assisted more than 1,8 million youths through its network of 121 youth advisory centres. The call centres have received more than 360000 calls and had over 18,9 million hits on the portal since its inception in 2002.

Pietersen believes that this year's campaign will surpass these numbers and help matriculants get a head start.

While youth can visit youth advisory centres across the country, information and the list of opportunities will also be available on www.youthportal.org.za

For more info on youth advisory centres call 086-009-6884.