Those seeking to upgrade or change their careers are well advised to explore the show's exhibitors, which represent corporations serious about recruitment, along with educational institutions offering avenues to up-skilling.
If you are seeking a position in the legal profession and have the right qualifications, visit the Legal Aid stand.
Cadbury South Africa, for example, will be publicising various career opportunities for talented young graduates in manufacturing, logistics and customer operations, finance and human resources. The business, which produces chocolate, chewing gum and candy, is situated in Johannesburg and operates four factories in Port Elizabeth, Swaziland, Botswana and Namibia. New recruits will embark upon a two-year learning journey involving a variety of job rotations. Working together with a designated mentor, each will have a training plan tailored to his/her own and the business's needs, working on real projects with specified accountabilities and learning objectives.
Another exhibitor of merit is Atlas Copco South Africa, dedicated to the sales, service and business marketing of various mining and construction, compressor and generator as well as power tool and assembly system products. The company has enjoyed strong growth over the last few years and employs approximately 1 200 people in South Africa. An important aspect of Atlas Copco's approach to developing staff is the Atlas Copco Academy to assist in addressing the skills shortage in South Africa. The Academy has three main aims: the inhouse development of all Atlas Copco employees, the management of Atlas Copco's apprenticeship programme, as well as the training and development of Atlas Copco employees in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Yet another Star Workplace exhibitor, the City of Johannesburg, will emphasise opportunities in the Departments of the Environment, Health, Economic Development Trade and Investments, as well as the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD). At their stand they will highlight training and skills offered as well as volunteer and reserve opportunities.
Independent Online (IOL) Jobs will be exhibiting at The Star Workplace stand. Here, free CV assistance will be offered along with online candidate registrations for IOL Jobs. There will also be live presentations demonstrating the IOL matching process, giving candidates and recruiters an idea how this ‘smart' systems works.
Those considering a career in public relations will find ProVox, the Centre for Public Relations and Communication, sharing a stand with the Public Relations Institute of South Africa (PRISA). The former offers a variety of public relations and communication programmes in line with government's National Skills Development Strategy, from elementary courses such as the Basic Principles of Public Relations through to specialist courses such as Financial Accounting for Public Relations. PRISA, for its part, is a professional body which provides continuing professional development and information services for its members.
A particularly valuable service to younger visitors to the show the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), where they will be able to obtain brochures detailing different youth development programmes. NYDA personnel will hold one-on-one discussions with young people to explain how they can benefit and improve their lives through engagement with the agency. Information on how to access funding to start your own businesses, where to apply for bursaries, how to improve your communities and more will be made available.
Competitions will be held where winners will receive NYDA t-shirts and other goodies. Some of the other bonuses to attending the show are discounts on popular reading material. Readers of the magazines GQ and Glamour, for instance, can purchase a three months' subscription at a reduced rate of almost 50% and receive The Star daily for a month, along with a branded peak cap.
The Star Workplace Expo is collaboration between Johannesburg's major English daily newspaper and Penquin International, a specialist in event and brand management. First held in 2009, it exposed thousands of job seekers to some of the country's most sought-after employers.
For further information see www.workplaceexpo.co.za or contact Natalie Cumberlege on 011 879 1919, or Jenny Kearney 082 5682490.
