Consulting firm AECOM recently hosted three job-shadowing events. The events aimed to inspire learners by providing them with a firsthand experience of the engineering profession, highlighting the importance of education in STEM fields and fostering connections between the learners and industry professionals.
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AECOM teamed up with Nzalo Careers for its expertise in assisting students in townships and rural areas. Nzalo has experience in running outreach programmes that connect underrepresented students with the engineering field, which is key to the company’s efforts to boost learners’ awareness of career options and provide firsthand experiences.
On 14 June, the company’s Centurion office welcomed 35 learners from various schools in the area to a job-shadowing event. It featured engaging activities and presentations, with National Science and Technology Forum representatives informing learners about STEM career opportunities in mechanical, electrical, civil engineering and more.
A QR code for a digital landscape on STEMulator was provided to the learners to explore the diversity of STEM in a virtual environment. Activities such as a tower-building challenge enhanced the learners’ problem-solving skills, critical thinking and practical application of engineering principles, which are essential for their future careers in the field.
