BHP Billiton says the centre was officially opened on September 17, coinciding with an annual career exhibition at Sci Bono.

Lulu Khumalo, manager of education and communications at BBDT, says the centre will provide access to mathematics, science and technology careers for people who previously could not follow such occupations.

Adds Khumalo: "In addressing these objectives, the centre will use curriculum-focused on-site edutainment, a career mentoring programme, outreach programmes and teaching kits, in-reach programmes for educators and learners, and programmes and displays addressing social and topical issues.

Phelelia Sekele, BHP Billiton career centre manager at the Sci Bono Discovery Centre, says: The thrust of our programmes is to offer career guidance and counselling with a specific focus in science, engineering and technology, but not to the total exclusion of other careers.

We have entered into collaborative partnerships with universities in Gauteng to provide career guidance and counselling services, psychometric assessments, as well as learner and educator workshops. The Career Resource Centre has information on the various SETAs and related internship/learnership opportunities, career leaflets and brochures, references on the job search process, guides for prospective university applicants, bursary information and an interactive career decision-making computerised tool, states Sekele.

Sekele says the motivation behind the centre is to equip learners with skills to make informed career decisions regarding university admission requirements, applications for loans and bursaries, subject and degree choices, as well as life skills for academic success.

In addition, the BHP Billiton Career Centre aims to further guide learners on how to develop critical competencies, temperaments and attitudes required in the workplace.

Says David Kramer, chief operating officer of Sci Bono Discovery Centre: Career education is one of our points of departure, as mandated by the Department of Education. There are limited career education resources around the country. This centre is a leap ahead in the department's ability to deliver career guidance in Gauteng.

"There is a shortage of skills in science and engineering, but this is not fed back into the schools, because of a lack of career guidance capacity in many schools. This centre will help to promote career interest and awareness in these fields," adds Kramer.

The project was undertaken in conjunction with the Gauteng Education Development Trust (GEDT) and the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE). The BBDT previously established a similar centre near its aluminium operations in Richards Bay.