JEFFREYS BAY – The second annual Kouga Working World Careers Expo has been hailed a huge success, building on the strong foundation laid by last year’s inaugural event.

Hosted by the Kouga Local Municipality with the support of the local wind farms collectively known as the Coastal 6, the expo took place at Mentors Country Estate on 23 and 24 April.

Inkanyezi Events member, Deon Engelke, said that the event attracted a total of 2,600 visitors over the two days.

Aimed at empowering school leavers and unemployed youth across the Kouga region and surrounding areas, he said that the expo provided access to study, funding and career opportunities, as well as valuable resources to help school leavers make informed decisions about their futures.

Engelke said that more than 70 exhibitors, representing government, business and the educational sector, showcased a wide range of career pathways.

These included all Kouga Local Municipality directorates, 24 units of the South African Police Service (SAPS), the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), the South African Navy, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, local businesses and educational institutions from across South Africa, along with corporate organisations.

Engelke further said that the event also drew increasing national attention, with Deputy Minister of Energy Samantha Jane Graham-Maré addressing more than 350 learners and participants, while also engaging with local wind farms and members of the business community.

“The success of the second expo demonstrates the growing impact of the initiative. Based on the resounding positive feedback from schools and exhibiting entities, the successful recipe for career guidance through the initiative will largely be maintained,” said Engelke.

He added that the long-term vision remains focused on expanding the programme to further support learners and educators.

The strong commitment from key stakeholders, including the Kouga Local Municipality and the Coastal 6 wind farms, continues to drive the initiative forward.

“The commitment from key players like the Kouga Municipality and local wind farms to the priority of contributing and promoting youth employment in Kouga will ensure the continued success of the initiative and growth into other even more direct facets of career guidance and mentorship of school leavers and educators,” said Engelke.

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