Careers Week 2008 launched-Careers Fair stresses value of all jobs |02 September 2008
The two-day event is one of the major activities of Careers Week - scheduled for between September 1 -5 this year - and is taking place under the theme Choosing a Career For Me and My Country.
The fair is organised by the Ministry of Education, precisely the department of Careers’ Education and Guidance, in close collaboration with other departments and employers.
It includes stands mounted in the form of an exhibition to give details on various work organizations and public service departments in the country, so young people can have an idea of what it is like to work for such a firm or in such a field, and decide for themselves what they can be when they join the world of work.
The fair was launched by education minister Bernard Shamlaye, in the presence of Vice-President Joseph Belmont, some ministers and other guests.
In his opening speech, Mr Shamlaye spoke of key areas in the expanding national economy 
He said there’s no work beneath human dignity and that all jobs are important in society and cannot be looked down upon.
“Your job, your work is what makes you earn a living for you and your family, and it is what makes you a worthy member of the society,” he said.
He therefore called on visitors at the fair to find out more about work opportunities and their requirements and to make the most of opportunities at hand on the local labour market.
Minister Shamlaye also linked the theme chosen for the fair with that of this year’s national theme – Our Constitution, the voice of our nation -- adding that they are in accord with each other.
He said the constitution makes connection between individual’s rights and responsibilities as a member of society in relation to work. He noted that article 35 enshrines the right of every citizen to work and spells out the conditions ensuring the exercise of that right, including vocational guidance and training. Article 40 emphasises that it is a duty of every citizen to work conscientiously in a chosen profession, occupation or trade, by including it in the list of fundamental duties, he said.
He stressed that it is important that in aspiring to fulfill their dreams and choose the career that they wish to have, young people should also be realistic. He said it is important that they are well informed on the national economy and the needs of the society and areas where our country needs human resources, which is where the Careers Week and Fair come into focus.
He explained that Careers Week and its various activities as well as careers education programmes in schools aim to provide these information and guidance to young people.
Similar fairs are to be organised on Praslin and La Digue this year, as activities marking Careers Week continue tomorrow with the launching of a Special Education Programme.
During the opening ceremony of the fair yesterday, Edwina Adrienne was presented with a small token of appreciation from the Ministry of Education for her role in initiating the Careers Fair in 1993.