Graduate intern programme for youth

ABOUT 6 600 unemployed young people are set to get the big break they so much need to realise their dreams of joining the workforce.

This after the Premier Phumulo Masualle-led executive council took a decision to instruct all provincial government departments to use 1% of their skills funds to finance new internship programmes.

The latest Statistics SA (StatsSA) Social Profile of Youth report, published in May, shows that youth unemployment – among people aged 15 to 34 – remains stubbornly high at 39.5%.

Provincial government department spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said in a drive to improve the situation, the Exco gave a directive to all provincial government departments to recruit 6 600 unemployed graduates for internships based on their respective fields of study.

Current figures show that only 897 graduates are busy with internship programmes at the various government departments across the province.

Most of the interns currently employed are housed at the departments of health, social development and safety.

Kupelo said it is critical that all departments help upskill unemployed youth.

“OTP will write to all heads of departments to comply with the 1% skills levy spend and those who may have already hired less than expected (from the beginning of this financial year on April 1), will be advised to close the gap,” he added.