While large events and gatherings remain prohibited, the SA’s long-standing careers exhibition – the Working World Expo – will go ahead next week thanks to a world-leading game-play expo platform developed locally.
The Careers Fair, from August 12-14, featuring exhibiting educational institutions and corporates from across the country, will be hosted virtually through a unique, 3D, interactive app and anyone is invited to access its resources for free.
Virtual visitors, who have downloaded the app will be able to live voice or text chat exhibitors, download brochures, watch promotional and informational videos , send emails and access resources like a career assessment tool.
The Working World Careers expo, one of the largest careers fairs in Africa, has been run for the past 21 successive years but was placed in jeopardy by lock-down regulations this year spiking concerns that the Class of 2020 and unemployed youth would not get access to essential career resources.
“Our exhibitors have embraced this shift and the new dates from 12-14 August when, over three days, all schools, job seekers and individuals interested in study options, funding mechanisms and careers are invited to enter the expo app to interact and gather resources,” Binning said.
“The virtual nature of the Working World Expo this year means that visitors are not restricted by the limitations of venue capacity, parking and geographic distance, which means the expo and its resources are now globally accessible, for free, to all visitors,” Binning said.
“In fact we have educational exhibitors from as far a field as Waikato participating.
“So many young people are confused about study and career options or even subject choice, where this all starts, and that is what the expo is all about – providing information that equips school-leavers, the unemployed and those seeking upskilling with the available options.”
Individuals can download the app at no fee, from August 11 at 3pm to August 14 at 5pm, when the show will close. The app will be available at www.vertex-hub.com for free download.
The app is downloadable only onto a windows-based computer with internet access.
“Due to the powerful interactive features, internet is required, as is a mouse to optimise navigation through the double-story virtual venue,” Binning said.
The 22nd Working World Exhibition is supported by the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, the PE Express and Die Burger, Coega Development Corporation and the Eastern Cape Department of Education.
More info at www.workingworldexpo.co.za.
Image Jamie-Lee (22) and Kirstie Engelke (25) test-run the interactive features of the 3D, Virtual Careers Fair, which will be available for free as an app from August 12-14.