Nedbank has invested more than R5 million in the My Future My Career programme, to provide career guidance to more than 40 000 underprivileged learners in Grades 9 to 12.
The Nedbank My Future My Career programme has been running for three years, and will educate learners on 100 career choices available across 14 industries, including ICT.
Mfundo Nkuhlu, managing executive of Nedbank Corporate, said at a media briefing: “Underprivileged learners often have very limited access to information due to social and economic challenges - hence, as Nedbank, we feel it is very important to bridge the digital divide, through programmes such as this one.”
He said last year's programme served more than 37 000 underprivileged learners. Due to the overwhelming response, Nedbank has invested over R14 million since the start of the project in 2010.
“In 2011 and 2012, the National Treasury allocated a sizeable 20.7% of the budget - more than R191 billion - to education, testimony to government's resolve to achieve an equitably educated society.
“But government cannot take on the mantle of education alone. It needs dedicated buy-in from and co-operation with business and NGOs to make the impact that is needed. Communities also need to be part of the solution, as they are where our learners come from and where they go back to,” explained Nkuhlu.
The Department of Basic Education has welcomed Nedbank's programme and has expressed its support. It has also called for more partnerships between the private and public sectors to address the skills shortage.
The My Future My Career concept is the brainchild of Primestars Marketing, which manages the project.
Martin Sweet, Primestars marketing MD, says the project aims to inspire the youth to play a key role in overcoming the current and projected skills shortage and the high rate of unemployment in SA.
He pointed out that career guidance came under the spotlight in the first few weeks of the 2012 academic year.
“Following the stampede that killed a parent and injured several others at the University of Johannesburg on 10 January, education experts country-wide cite a lack of career guidance and a misunderstanding of faculty entry requirements as major contributing factors to the chaos that ensued during university registration this year.”
Share
