For many learners in rural communities, choosing a career and finding a pathway into higher education can be challenging, particularly when access to information about university programmes, admission requirements and financial support is limited.

The University of South Africa (Unisa) is helping to bridge this information gap by bringing career guidance and higher education opportunities closer to learners in the Central Karoo.

Through its George Regional Service Centre, the university participated in the inaugural Central Karoo Career Exhibition, held at the JJ Ellis Sportsground in Laingsburg.

The exhibition brought together higher education institutions, government departments, industry representatives and community organisations to help learners and unemployed young people explore educational opportunities, career pathways, bursaries, learnerships and skills development programmes.

Approximately 529 learners from Grades 9 to 12, representing Laingsburg High School, Sutherland High School and De Kruine High School, attended the event.

For Unisa, the exhibition provided an opportunity to engage directly with prospective students, explain the university's open distance e-learning (ODeL) model and demonstrate how higher education can remain accessible to people living far from traditional university campuses.

The exhibition was organised by the Accounting Maths and Science Academy (AMASA), in collaboration with Soetwater Wind Farm, Karusa Wind Farm, Enel Green Power, G7 Renewable Energies, CPV1, Knowledge Pele and Rietkloof Wind Farm, among other partners.

The event aimed to equip young people with information that would help them make informed decisions about their educational and professional futures.

The official programme opened with remarks by AMASA Chief Executive Officer Andile Vika and representatives of the local municipality, including the mayor and municipal manager.

They welcomed learners, educators, exhibitors and guests, emphasising the importance of investing in education, skills development and career opportunities for young people.

The participation of educational institutions, public entities and private-sector organisations created a platform for learners to engage with representatives from different fields and gain a better understanding of available study and employment pathways.

Industry partners also shared information about bursaries, career opportunities and educational support initiatives, highlighting the role that collaboration between education and industry can play in preparing young people for future opportunities.

Representing the university's George Regional Service Centre, Regional Office Coordinator Tando Ntshanga engaged with learners, educators and community members, providing information about Unisa's academic qualifications, admission requirements, application procedures and student support services.

Tando Ntshanga, Regional Office Coordinator at Unisa's George Regional Service Centre, assists learners with information about study opportunities during the inaugural Central Karoo Career Exhibition in Laingsburg.

A central part of these engagements was explaining how Unisa's ODeL model enables students to pursue higher education without having to relocate to a traditional residential campus.

This flexibility is particularly relevant to learners in geographically dispersed communities, where the cost of relocation, accommodation and travel can present barriers to further study.

Ntshanga encouraged learners to explore qualifications aligned with their interests, strengths and career aspirations, while also considering the admission requirements for their preferred fields of study.

The exhibition provided an opportunity to address the different needs of learners at various stages of their schooling.

For those in Grades 9 to 11, the focus included the importance of making informed subject choices that would keep future study and career options open.

Grade 12 learners, meanwhile, received information to help them prepare for the transition from school to higher education, including the application process and the support available to Unisa students.

Through these individual engagements, the university sought to help learners understand not only how to apply for admission, but also how to prepare for the academic responsibilities and opportunities that come with university study.

Unisa's participation in the exhibition reflects its broader commitment to expanding access to higher education and ensuring that geographical location does not unnecessarily limit educational opportunities.

For learners in rural areas such as the Central Karoo, access to accurate and timely information can make a meaningful difference when deciding whether to pursue further studies and which qualifications to consider.

Career exhibitions therefore serve an important purpose beyond promoting academic programmes. They connect learners with institutions and organisations that can help them understand the relationship between school subjects, tertiary qualifications, skills development and employment opportunities.

This approach supports the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education), which promotes inclusive and equitable education and lifelong learning opportunities.

It also contributes to the ambitions of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), particularly by helping young people explore the education and skills pathways that can improve their prospects of participating in the economy.

Within South Africa, these priorities align with the National Development Plan 2030, which recognises education, skills development and improved opportunities for young people as essential to reducing unemployment, poverty and inequality.

The exhibition also reflects the African Union's Agenda 2063 vision of a continent whose development is driven by its people, particularly through investment in young people, education and skills.

By helping learners make informed decisions about their futures, Unisa contributes to the broader effort to develop the human capabilities needed for inclusive social and economic development.

The involvement of renewable energy companies and other industry partners added an important dimension to the exhibition by exposing learners to career opportunities beyond traditional professions.

Organisations such as Enel Green Power, Soetwater Wind Farm, Karusa Wind Farm, G7 Renewable Energies, CPV1 and Knowledge Pele participated alongside educational and government institutions, providing information about opportunities in different sectors.

Their involvement demonstrated how partnerships between industry, educational institutions and communities can support career awareness and skills development.

For young people in the Central Karoo, exposure to these opportunities can broaden their understanding of the qualifications and competencies required in emerging and established industries.

Such partnerships are particularly important in regions where economic opportunities may be limited and where learners benefit from direct engagement with organisations involved in local and regional development.

For Unisa, working alongside schools, municipalities, industry partners and community organisations also strengthens the university's engaged scholarship and community outreach efforts.

These engagements help ensure that the university remains responsive to the educational needs and aspirations of the communities it serves.

The George Regional Service Centre remains committed to strengthening partnerships across the Garden Route and Central Karoo regions to improve access to higher education information and student support.

Through continued engagement with schools, community organisations and other stakeholders, the centre aims to help prospective students understand their options and prepare for successful participation in higher education.

The inaugural Central Karoo Career Exhibition demonstrated the value of bringing educational institutions and industry partners directly to learners, particularly those who may otherwise have limited opportunities to interact with university representatives.

For Unisa, the engagement reinforced an important message: access to higher education begins with access to information, informed choices and the confidence to pursue future opportunities.

By reaching learners where they live and study, the university continues to support the development of young people who can contribute to their communities and the country's future.

*By Tando Ntshanga, Regional Office Coordinator, Unisa George Regional Service Centre