The fourth Heritage Careers Expo (HCE) was launched on Tuesday at ORBIT TVET College's Mankwe campus in the North West, aiming to connect thousands of learners with career, training and business opportunities in South Africa's cultural, creative and heritage industries.
Government and education partners on site
The launch was led by the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, and attended by the North West Premier, Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi (MPL), and the provincial MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation, Galebekwe Virginia Tsotso Tlhapi (MPL). The expo brings together national and provincial government, TVET colleges, universities, Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), training providers, employers and entrepreneurs.
According to the national department, the HCE offers a single platform to guide learners from school into accredited skills programmes, qualifications, workplace experience and enterprise opportunities in heritage-related fields. The initiative is described as a national response to the gap in career guidance for young people who may not be aware of possibilities beyond mainstream professions.
“South Africa’s heritage carries knowledge, identity and economic value. Our responsibility is to help young people develop that value through education, skills and enterprise,”
— Minister Buti Manamela, launching the expo at ORBIT TVET College, Mankwe.
What the expo offers learners
Organisers say the HCE connects school learners, TVET students and unemployed youth with a range of services and pathways. Exhibitors include SETAs, higher education institutions, TVET colleges, cultural organisations, small business support services and employers from the creative and heritage sectors.
- Information on accredited skills programmes and qualifications relevant to heritage, arts and culture
- Workplace learning, mentorship and internship opportunities
- Support for start-ups and small enterprises working in cultural tourism, crafts and heritage management
- Career guidance and sector-specific advice for learners uncertain about next steps after matric or TVET studies
Organisers emphasised that talent alone is not enough; learners need training, workplace experience and access to markets and support services to turn skills into sustainable livelihoods. The expo aims to make those connections visible and accessible on the day.
Why the North West matters for heritage skills
The North West province hosts a variety of cultural assets and community heritage initiatives that can generate economic activity when linked to training and enterprise support. Bringing the national expo to Mankwe places the spotlight on local colleges such as ORBIT TVET and on provincial priorities for arts, culture and skills development.
Provincial leaders at the launch framed the event as part of a broader strategy to expand meaningful skills pathways for young people outside the formal university track, especially where cultural industries can absorb and develop local talent.
Practical outcomes and follow-up
Officials say the expo is not a one-day event but a mechanism to forge lasting partnerships between training providers, employers and community practitioners. The presence of SETAs and employers is intended to speed up placements for workplace learning and to clarify the qualifications employers seek.
| Stakeholder | Role at Expo |
|---|---|
| National DHET (Minister) | Overall policy direction and links to national programmes |
| ORBIT TVET College | Host venue and local skills provider |
| SETAs | Accreditation and workplace learning facilitation |
| Industry & employers | Workplace placements and hiring |
For learners and community members who attended, the expo offered practical steps: which short courses lead to internships, how to register for artisan qualifications, and where to find incubation support for creative enterprises. Those looking for specific next steps were encouraged to speak directly with the SETA representatives and campus placement officers present.
What this means for young people
For many young people in the North West, TVET colleges are a key route into the labour market. Events such as the HCE aim to broaden that route by linking traditional cultural practice and creative skills to formal training and enterprise support. In a province with high youth unemployment, creating clear, accredited pathways into work and business is central to government and college strategies.
While the expo highlights opportunity, the challenge remains to convert exposure into sustained jobs and incomes. The success of the initiative will depend on follow-through: workplaces opening their doors for practical experience, SETAs accrediting relevant training rapidly, and provincial support for market access for graduates and small enterprises.
The Heritage Careers Expo continues through the week at ORBIT TVET College's Mankwe campus with workshops, employer booths and registration desks for training programmes. Learners seeking information were urged to contact the college for details on application and placement processes.
