DURBAN - THE eThekwini Municipality will host a roadshow for grade 12 pupils that aims to provide the pupils with an opportunity to gain an insight into careers in sectors with scarce skills.
In a council meeting recently, the city approved a three-year partnership programme to host a roadshow for pupils.
The municipality said the roadshow is as a result of a partnership between the EThekwini Municipal Academy (EMA) and the Department of Education.
It will also include the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban University of Technology, Mangosuthu University of Technology, TVET Colleges as well as the Central Applications Office.
A report on the roadshow said a three-year programme from 2022 to 2024 for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (Stem), aims to provide an opportunity for pupils to gain insight into careers in the scarce skills sectors, the different fields, support available in the region and also offer students the opportunity to network informally with employers and different universities while finding out about the latest bursaries and graduate job opportunities.
The report called for less resourced schools and those from previously disadvantaged backgrounds to be selected to participate.
It said a list of schools would be identified by the Department of Education and submitted to the Human Settlements and Infrastructure Committee for final approval.
Councillor Patrick Pillay of the DLC said they support the initiative.
“It is important to note that many pupils from (impoverished) schools need this kind of mentorship,” said Pillay.
ANC councillor Nkosenhle Madlala said they are supportive of the initiative.
“If you look at the shortage of skills in the municipality, you will find that skills related to technology and science are among those that are in short supply in the municipality.
“If you look at our schools, especially the impoverished ones, you will find that because of our past, many children do not pursue careers in these fields. This programme therefore will go a long way to expose the pupils to these skills,” he said.
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