BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MBABANE – Thousands of emaSwati youth are set to benefit from the 6th Annual Eswatini National Career Expo, a nationwide initiative designed to unlock career opportunities, nurture entrepreneurship and equip young people with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in an evolving job market.
The roadshow, organised by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Training, other government ministries, industry partners, financial institutions and training providers, will officially get underway on July 29, 2026, at Mpolonjeni Inkhundla in the Lubombo Region.
Speaking on Eswatini TV’s Kusile Breakfast Show, Ministry of Labour and Social Security Measurement Officer Lucky Dlamini said the annual expo has become one of the country’s flagship youth empowerment initiatives, providing young people with practical career guidance while connecting them to education, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Held under the theme “Creating Opportunities for Entrepreneurial Innovation and Career Growth,” the nationwide initiative seeks to address youth unemployment by exposing participants to diverse career pathways, practical skills and emerging industries while helping them make informed decisions about their futures.
Dlamini said the expo caters for secondary school learners, university and college students, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) learners, unemployed graduates and out-of-school youth, ensuring that no young person is left behind.
He explained that the Ministry begins preparing learners long before they attend the expo by conducting aptitude assessments in schools. The assessments help learners identify their natural strengths and interests while they are still in Forms Three, Four and Five, allowing them to choose career paths that match their abilities and aspirations.
“The objective is to ensure every young person understands the opportunities available to them. We want them to make informed career choices based on their abilities, interests and the demands of the labour market,” Dlamini said.
He said the programme has helped reduce skills mismatches by ensuring learners understand what different careers require before selecting subjects or enrolling for tertiary studies.
The expo will bring together universities, colleges, TVET institutions, government ministries, parastatals, private companies, entrepreneurs, banks and funding organisations, giving participants an opportunity to engage directly with institutions that can support their academic and professional journeys.
Participants will also receive information on admission requirements for various courses, scholarship opportunities, entrepreneurship support programmes and practical skills training in areas such as construction, welding, carpentry, electrical installation and agriculture.
Dlamini said taking the expo directly to communities reflects government’s commitment to decentralising services and ensuring young people in rural areas have the same access to career information as those living in urban centres.
He noted that many learners previously viewed teaching and nursing as the only viable professions, but the expo has broadened their understanding of careers in engineering, medicine, information and communications technology (ICT), artificial intelligence (AI), agriculture, commerce and many other emerging sectors.
The initiative is also helping to break gender stereotypes by encouraging more girls to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) as well as technical trades, while boys are increasingly embracing professions traditionally dominated by women.
Dlamini urged parents to actively support their children’s natural talents instead of imposing career choices based on personal preferences.
He said the country’s Competency-Based Education curriculum complements the objectives of the expo by recognising that every learner possesses unique abilities, whether in academics, business, sports, arts or vocational skills.
“Parents are encouraged to attend the expo because they also need career information. Together, we can better understand each child’s strengths and guide them towards careers where they can excel and build sustainable livelihoods,” he said.
The Ministry has recorded numerous success stories over the years, with former beneficiaries returning to showcase businesses and careers they have built after receiving career guidance, entrepreneurship support and mentorship through the programme.
Young entrepreneurs supported through organisations such as the Eswatini National Youth Council (ENYC), the Youth Enterprise Fund, Junior Achievement Eswatini and other development partners are expected to exhibit their products and share inspiring testimonies during this year’s roadshow.
Dlamini also encouraged all young people to attend the National Career Expo in their numbers, saying the programme is open to everyone regardless of their educational or employment status.
He said secondary school learners, university and college students, TVET trainees, unemployed graduates, school leavers and unemployed youth will all benefit from the free career guidance, aptitude assessments, networking opportunities and entrepreneurship support available throughout the nationwide roadshow.
“We do not want any young person to miss this opportunity. Whether you are still in secondary school, studying at university or college, have completed your studies, left school early or are currently unemployed, the National Career Expo has something valuable to offer. It is an opportunity to discover your strengths, explore career pathways, connect with employers, educational institutions and funding organisations, and access the support needed to build a successful future,” he said.
He added that university graduates would also benefit by engaging directly with industries to understand the practical and professional skills employers are looking for in today’s competitive labour market.
Following the official launch at Mpolonjeni Inkhundla on July 29, the roadshow will continue to Prince of Wales Stadium in Mbabane on July 31, Mayaluka Stadium on August 3, Mavuso Sports Centre on August 4, Mankayane Sports Ground on August 5, Killarney Stadium in Pigg’s Peak on August 6, before concluding at the King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium on August 7.
Dlamini said every young person is born with unique talents and multiple abilities, and the National Career Expo exists to help them discover those strengths, maximise their potential and build sustainable careers.
He said by equipping young people with the right information, practical skills and industry connections, the expo is helping build a skilled, innovative and self-reliant generation that will drive entrepreneurship, create jobs and contribute meaningfully to Eswatini’s economic growth, improved livelihoods and sustainable national development.
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