The City Council’s Economic Development department has prioritised skills development to tackle youth unemployment, and its recent programme is a testament to this commitment. Nearly 400 young people in Johannesburg will soon gain construction qualifications.
Sizwe Mafunga, Deputy Director of the Integrated Regional Economic Development Directorate, says the unemployed youth skills programme began in May 2023, enrolling 400 young people from Regions D and G. After successfully completing the first six months in October 2023, participants will undertake a further four months of training starting in September 2024.
“We enrolled 200 unemployed youth per region. The City set aside R9 million for the students to obtain their entry level construction qualifications.”
The National Certificate Construction Roadworks certificate is a NQF level 2 qualification and holds credits.
South West Gauteng TVET College was appointed to conduct the training. Training took place in Soweto and Lenasia. During training students received a stipend of R1 500.
“The programme focused on both a theoretical and practical component and coincided with the objectives of the government of local unity. Which supported the strategic objective of employment creation and opportunity creation,” explains Mafunga.
Mafunga says the programme has a sustainable goal by aiming to link students with possible work opportunities at Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) or small, medium and micro enterprises.
“Not only are we creating capacity for these unemployed youth, but we are also linking them with resources for sustainable employment facilitation. So, we’re killing two birds with one stone.”
Mafunga says whilst in training the South African National Roads Agency contracted students for construction and maintenance projects.
“We want these students to get the full qualification, so we are going to give them an additional four months of training in the current financial year.
“We have been allocated R5 million and we are in the process of procurement. Subsequently the stipend will also increase to R 2500 a month,” says Mafunga.
“We offered them an opportunity to acquire practical and theoretical skills to engage in sustainable livelihoods through an economic activity that is aimed at integrating these youth into the economy.”
Written by Brümilda Swartbooi
14/08/2024
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