Grade 7 learners at primary schools in Macassar and Somerset West were introduced to a wide range of careers and skills-based opportunities last week as their schools hosted back-to-back career days.

On Wednesday 27 May Firgrove Primary School hosted neighbouring Oklahoma Street and St Paul’s primary schools for a joint Life Orientation Club Expo.

Themed “Explore – Discover – Inspire”, the event featured a local husband-and-wife team – Vernon Davids, an antenna and RF design engineer and CEO of Lambda G, and Dr Melissa Boonzaaier-Davids, a marine biologist.

Also speaking were Micka Alexander from Helderberg FM, food scientist Chloë Wyngaard, Damian September of Northlink College’s plumbing and construction facilities and representatives from Macassar Fire Station.

Across the N2, False Bay Primary School hosted its own career day on Friday 29 May, also welcoming St Paul’s Primary and drawing professionals from a wide range of industries.

Guests included Axios School of Skills, social workers from PATCH Helderberg Child Abuse Centre’s satellite station in Macassar, spray painters, builders and electricians from JC Charles Bouers, Belgium Campus iTversity and Diana’s Sewing & Dressmaking.

At both events learners were introduced to careers and industries they may never have considered, and were given the space to dream.

The message across both days was clear: skills offer a strong alternative to university studies, opening pathways into future employment and entrepreneurship.