Gauteng Health Department Launches Career Expos to Spark Youth Interest in Healthcare

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Inspiring Tomorrow’s Healthcare Heroes, Today

In celebration of Youth Month 2025, the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has launched a dynamic and youth-focused initiative. This aims to drive interest in healthcare careers. The Youth Health Plug Career Expos, taking place from 23 to 27 June 2025, aim to educate and empower young people across Gauteng’s five districts. They offer insight into the wide range of opportunities within the province’s public healthcare system.

Designed to be both engaging and educational, these expos are not just traditional career fairs. They are part of a broader commitment by the Department. This commitment is to build a sustainable, skilled, and motivated health workforce for the future.

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Career Expos Across Five Districts

The career expos will be hosted at Gauteng College of Nursing (GCON) campuses and other strategic venues across the province. Each event runs from 09:00 to 14:30 daily, targeting youth in every region:

Monday, 23 June – Bona Lesedi Nursing Campus, Leratong Hospital, Chamdor (West Rand District)
Tuesday, 24 June – Ga-Rankuwa Nursing Campus, Dr. George Mukhari Academic Hospital (Tshwane District)
Wednesday, 25 June – Chris Hani Baragwanath Nursing Campus, Soweto (Johannesburg District)
Thursday, 26 June – Saul Tsotetsi Sports Complex, Sebokeng (Sedibeng District)
Friday, 27 June – Dr Clarence Mini Hall, Bertha Gxowa Hospital, Germiston (Ekurhuleni District)

Each venue will showcase a diverse range of career paths. These range from clinical roles like Nursing, Medicine, and Pharmacy, to therapeutic services like Physiotherapy, Social Work, Nutrition, Audiology, and Speech Therapy.

Equipping Youth with Tools for Success

Beyond showcasing careers, the Youth Health Plug Career Expos provide practical information on how to enter the healthcare field. Attendees will gain insight into:

Study opportunities through accredited institutions like Gauteng College of Nursing (GCON) and Lebone College of Emergency Care
Bursary and funding options offered by the GDoH
Career pathways within Emergency Medical Services, Forensic Clinical Services, Employee Health and Wellness, and more

This initiative ensures that career information is not only accessible but also tailored to the needs of youth. It reaches young people from all backgrounds.

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A Strategic Move to Grow Future Talent

Speaking about the expos, Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko emphasised the importance of engaging youth directly. This engagement happens within healthcare spaces.

“By taking career education directly to young people and making use of our campuses and health facilities, we are strategically introducing young people to the world of health,” she stated.

According to the MEC, these expos are vital to shaping a new generation of healthcare professionals. The professionals will be equipped to lead with both skill and compassion. The Department hopes to instil a sense of purpose and responsibility in young attendees. They aim to show them that they can be more than job-seekers — they can be change-makers.

Health Awareness Meets Career Development

The Youth Health Plug 2025 campaign does more than promote careers; it also encourages holistic health awareness among the youth. Each expo features:

Free health screenings
Youth-friendly services information
Digital storytelling and interactive exhibits

These elements ensure that participants walk away with not only career inspiration. They also gain a deeper understanding of how healthcare impacts communities and individual lives.

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Collaboration and Community Support

Educators, parents, and youth-focused organisations are encouraged to support attendance at the expos. The Department recognises the power of community in shaping young minds and futures.

“The expos are more than just career fairs; they are part of a broader mission. This mission promotes health awareness and opportunity among the youth,” the MEC added.

With unemployment among South African youth remaining a serious concern, initiatives like this provide a critical platform. They offer practical, solution-driven engagement. By planting seeds of purpose early, the Department aims to help youth take charge of their future.

A Call to Action

Gauteng’s Youth Health Plug Career Expos are open to learners, graduates, and unemployed youth. It targets those interested in pursuing healthcare as a career. The Department calls on young people to attend the event in their district. They should explore available resources and interact with real-world health professionals.

With a focus on accessibility, empowerment, and skills development, this campaign aligns with broader national strategies. These strategies aim to improve youth employment and strengthen the healthcare system.