At Welkom Campus: Grade 9 learners listening attentively to presenters at the Subject Choice and Career Guidance Roadshow hosted by the CUT Communications and Marketing (Student Recruitment), Faculties, Support Services in partnership with Harmony Gold Mine and the Lejweleputswa District Department of Education.

Grade 9 marks a critical stage in every learner’s academic journey, and the Central University of Technology (CUT) is taking the lead in ensuring that learners are equipped to make choices that shape their futures. The Subject Choice and Career Guidance Roadshow, hosted at Welkom Campus from 25–27 September 2025, welcomed more than 500 Grade 9 learners each day from schools in the Lejweleputswa District.

The initiative, launched in partnership with the Department of Education and Harmony Gold mine, is part of CUT’s ongoing commitment to Vision 2030. The roadshow serves as a platform to strengthen partnerships between the university and local schools, to support educational development in the region, and to prepare learners with the knowledge and skills required for higher education and beyond.

Speaking about the significance of the program, one of the presenters emphasised that this season is a pivotal time in the life of a Grade 9 learner. “This period is crucial because learners are faced with choosing their subjects, choices that extend beyond academics and directly impact their future careers. For us at CUT, engaging with these learners means helping them align their subject selections with the programs we offer. Often, learners who lack proper guidance end up making poor subject combinations, such as pairing math literacy with sciences, which do not support most of our programs. That is why we focus on guiding them not only in subject selection but also in career readiness, particularly within the context of a University of Technology.

Mr Nelson Semoko, Skills Development Facilitator from Harmony Gold Mine, encouraged learners to work hard and commit to STEM subjects to pursue careers in mining and related fields.

Industry partners also played a pivotal role in motivating learners to work hard and consider careers in mining and related fields. Mr. Nelson Semoko, Skills Development Facilitator at Harmony Gold Mine, encouraged learners to take mathematics and science seriously if they aspired to enter the mining sector. “If you want to become a geologist, an engineer, or pursue other mining-related careers, you must study hard and commit to STEM subjects,” he advised. He also shared valuable information about Harmony Gold Mine’s bursary programme, which supports both mining and non-mining fields, as well as internship opportunities.

Learners exploring available programs and gathering brochures to make informed decisions about their subjects and future careers.

Learners engaged with CUT faculties, divisions, and industry partners at various stalls, where they received personalised guidance, valuable resources, and insightful information about diverse career pathways. The roadshow emphasised the importance of passion-driven subject selection and illustrated how academic choices made in Grade 9 directly influence future opportunities in higher education and employment.

This impactful initiative highlighted CUT’s commitment to empowering learners, supporting schools, and cultivating future-ready graduates. By investing in learners at this critical stage of their academic journey, the university reinforces its role as a key partner in regional development and a catalyst for educational transformation, which aligns with the university goals.