Learners from different high schools attended a career expo in Windhoek to make informed decisions about their future studies and professions.

The event brought together educational institutions, organisations and industry players to expose learners to various career paths and opportunities available after school.

Namibia National Coordinator for Victory Youth Group (VYG), Billy Haoseb, said the initiative seeks to bridge the information gap many learners face when deciding on their future.

"So the VYG thought of this beautiful opportunity to bring the coping goals to them, to kind of, like, mushroom their understanding and show them that there are, you know, ways in which they can begin to build their lives. There are other coping companies, people that can come meet them halfway. Sometimes when they fail in school, they don't know, "Okay, that's done. I'm going to sell something some way. I'm going to try making my way to survive. You know, so, but then we bring the coping goals to them, to them; it makes it easier, and it makes networking information available to them on what they can do in order to build their lives." 

Learners who attended the expo described the event as eye-opening, saying it helped them gain a clearer understanding of different career options.

"I believe it helps with exposure because many of our learners run to feel like nursing and teaching. It's because of the lack of exposure to such things like this. So there is a great opportunity for all those who are confused, who don't know what they want to become, to come here and learn to see what other people have been doing in their lives," stated Loide Ekandjo, an Ella Du Plessis learner.  

Hambeleleni Lucas, a Limkokwing University scholar, adds, "So, like, by the look of it, I'm sure that most of them today are going to push off what they want to become. And what are you studying, or what do you want to be when you, you know, finish your own?"

|Khomas High School learner Blessing Ekandjo says interacting with institutions and professionals provided valuable insight into potential career paths and future study opportunities.

"Yes, it does. Because now, I'm not only focused on sports management, but I can also learn about business management. That's why I can focus on other businesses as well. And things like insurance, just in case, as well. Let me say for a whole new job, I helped have study policies and all of that. To get an injury, they can cover that for you. And I didn't know about that before. But now it opens my mind and makes everything more versatile."

Organisers say such initiatives are essential in empowering young people with the knowledge needed to make confident decisions about their academic and professional futures.