Impala Rustenburg is delighted to announce the return of its annual Career Expo, which is set to engage and inspire Grade 11 students from across the Rustenburg mining communities. This year’s Expo will run from 4 August to 1 September, engage with 18 schools and reach more than 3 200 learners — providing a unique opportunity to learn more about the diverse career pathways within and beyond the mining industry.

The Expo is designed to give local learners the tools and knowledge they need to succeed in their future careers, while also exposing them to new opportunities they may not have considered. This year, the Expo will offer learners an immersive, technology-driven experience, which features the popular virtual reality tours. In addition, videos will showcase inspiring career journeys and diverse professions.

Since its launch in 2021, the Impala Rustenburg Career Expo has played a pivotal role in the company’s youth development initiatives, growing in reach and impact each year. This year, the Expo will expand to include four additional schools — Waterkloof Hills Secondary School, Khayalethu High School, Itumeleng High School and Tswaidi High School — bringing the number of participating schools to 18. Since its inception, the Expo has reached more than 11 000 Grade 9 to 12 students from 14 schools within the operation’s mine communities. By broadening the reach and impact of the Expo, Impala is demonstrating its commitment to youth development.

Moses Motlhageng, Chief Executive of Impala Rustenburg, said: "At Impala, we are deeply invested in the future of our youth, not only through career guidance but also through a comprehensive range of youth development programmes. These initiatives go beyond education and are designed to provide the youth with practical experience, technical skills and opportunities for personal growth. Our cadet programme, graduate internships, bursaries and learnerships equip young people with the skills they need to thrive, whether in the mining industry or beyond."

In addition to showcasing careers directly related to the mining sector, the Expo introduces students to a wide array of supporting professions that are vital to the industry’s success. These include roles in environmental management, safety, human resources, finance, information and communications technology, and teaching. The Expo also highlights the opportunities available through Impala’s own youth development programmes. These include bursary programmes offering financial support for tertiary education, graduate internships providing work experience to recent graduates, learnership programmes allowing youth to gain industry-specific skills while receiving a stipend, and a cadet programme, which provides hands-on training and develops essential mining skills for young people.

“We are incredibly proud of the long-term impact the Career Expo has had on the youth of Rustenburg,” said Motlhageng. “By offering these young people the opportunity to explore and engage with a diverse range of careers, we are not just helping them to choose a job — we are empowering them to shape their futures. Impala’s commitment to holistic youth development is at the heart of everything we do.”