Career expo brings hope and opportunity to Loeriesfontein learners

A Career Expo was recently held at Loeriesfontein High School in the Northern Cape, providing 120 learners from five local schools with a glimpse into their future possibilities.

Funded by Loeriesfontein and Khobab Wind Farms, the event marked a milestone in addressing critical gaps in career awareness and tertiary education access in the Hantam and Karoo Hoogland regions.

The expo featured representatives from two universities, two TVET colleges, the South African Police Service (SAPS), and the Maintenance and Operations Department of the Wind Farms. Learners had the opportunity to interact with these representatives, gaining valuable insights into potential career paths and the tools needed to take ownership of their futures.

Empowering learners for a brighter future

According to Jacques Klaaste, Principal of Loeriesfontein High School, the expo provided learners with clarity, motivation, and a sense of options beyond their immediate surroundings.

"In areas like ours, learners don’t always have the resources or exposure to make informed decisions about life after matric," he said. "This expo gave them clarity, motivation, and a real sense that there are options beyond what they see around them."

The initiative aligns with the wind farms' broader goals of supporting education, socio-economic upliftment, and long-term community development. Vanessa Fredericks, Economic Development Manager for Loeriesfontein and Khobab Wind Farms, emphasised the importance of exposing young people to career options at an early stage.

"We believe that exposing young people at this stage of their journey to career options has long-term benefits not only for the individual learners and their families, but also for their communities," she said.

The Career Expo is expected to create a pipeline of motivated learners who plan their futures early, inspired by the success stories of peers who have gone on to pursue tertiary studies or build successful careers. By bringing learners together from two regions, the expo strengthens community ties and fosters a shared commitment to youth development.

As the initiative continues to grow, it is likely to have a lasting impact on the local community, empowering young people to take ownership of their futures and contribute to local economic growth.