WHILE large events and gatherings remain prohibited, South Africa’s Working World Expo will go ahead next week, albeit virtually, thanks to an innovative, locally developed game-play expo platform.
The Careers Fair, from August 12 to 14, featuring exhibiting educational institutions and corporates from across the country, will be hosted online through a unique, 3D, interactive app and anyone is invited to access its resources for free.
Organiser Andrew Binning of Inkanyezi Events said virtual visitors, who have downloaded the app to their Microsoft Windows PC or laptop, will be able to ‘chat’ to exhibitors live via voice or text, download brochures, watch promotion and information videos , send emails and access resources, including a career assessment tool.
The Working World Careers expo, one of the largest careers fairs in Africa, has been run for the past 21 years but was placed in jeopardy by lockdown regulations this year prompting 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 to 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. In fact, we have educational exhibitors from as far afield as Waikato, New Zealand 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,” he said.
The app will be available for download for free from 11 August at 3pm until 14 August at 5pm, when the show will close. The app will be available at www.vertex-hub.com for free download. A Microsoft Windows-based computer with internet access is required.
“Due to the powerful interactive features, internet is required, as is a mouse to optimise navigation through the double-story virtual venue,” Binning said.
For more information visit workingworldexpo.co.za.
