Career fairs in South Africa underline need for students pursuing agriculture

In an effort to establish a skilled workforce within the fresh produce industry, the Produce Marketing Association Foundation for Industry Talent will partner with Stellenbosch University (SU) and the University of Pretoria (UP) to host two South Africa Agri-Food Career and Bursary Fairs. The events come at an important time for South Africa as unemployment rates have been above 24% since 2010.

This will be the fourth consecutive year PMA and the PMA Foundation are working in South Africa with the mission of attracting young university students to the industry, specifically those students who may not have already considered agriculture as a viable career option. Over 4,000 students visited these events in 2013 and more than 4,500 students are expected to attend the events this year.

Career fair details:
Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa: March 27, 2014
University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa: May 22-23, 2014

“South Africa is a very geographically diverse country, which allows for a wide range of agricultural activity both for self-sustainability and global export,” explains Richard Owen, PMA’s vice president of global development. “On the flip side, though, South Africa continues to struggle with unemployment and the produce industry- finding the right talent to grow business. The Career Fairs offer one way to help South African students recognize the abundant careers options, economic promise and national importance of agriculture and produce production.”

PMA will also meet with industry members from across the entire fresh produce supply chain on August 13-14 during its annual Fresh Connections: Southern Africa Conference & Expo event. The event will look locally, regionally and globally at retail growth, new sales channels, consumer trends, jobs and talent and other issues affecting the fresh produce supply chain. The event will feature the annual Women’s Fresh Perspectives Breakfast in South Africa, designed to help women cultivate their potential and build networks.

For more information:
Ashley Boucher
PMA
Tel: +1 (302) 738-7100, ext. 3092
Email: aboucher@pma.com