Opportunities for healthcare learners begin

EASTERN Cape youngsters stand a chance at getting a fully-funded crack at becoming healthcare practitioners.

Health corporation Netcare on Wednesday announced that it will provide learnerships for 1 000 young South Africans over a period of five years.

Netcare is looking to train pharmacist assistants, pharmacist stock assistants, human resources interns, technical and engineering fields, learnerships in various fields for disabled youths, as well as registered nurses.

Netcare is one of five flagship companies participating in the Youth Employment Service (YES) initiative recently launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Interested youths have been invited to apply for the learnerships, and would be assessed for their suitability, and then sent for training and education, Netcare said in a statement.

Dr Nceba Ndzwayiba, Netcare’s general manager of enterprise and supplier development said: “Adverts with the entry requirements for each programme will be issued via the Netcare website for each intake, and Netcare’s standard selection processes will apply.”

Netcare CEO Dr Richard Friedland said they were investing in youth and in the future of South Africa. “This is a vehicle for stimulating inclusive economic growth and advancing socioeconomic transformation,” Friedland said.

“Through collaborative partnerships we can do more to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people, who in turn will be empowered to contribute to the economy while enriching the local healthcare sector through developing relevant skills,” he added.

Ndzwayiba, said they intended to provide employment for the young graduates. “The nursing training intakes will be staggered over a period of three years. In the first two years, 100 youths per year will be registered for the bridging course leading to enrolment as registered nurses. Depending on the outcome of changes in nursing qualifications and accreditation which are currently under way, it is envisaged that approximately 300 opportunities to study for a national diploma in nursing will be available in the third year through Netcare education’s faculty of nursing and ancillary healthcare, as part of our initiative,” said Ndzwayiba.

“The training will be fully funded and will include a monthly stipend for the duration of the programme. Note that intakes will be staggered over the next five years.” —