Focus falls on energy sector

for grade 10 to 12 pupils who are studying Science, Technology, Engineering and/or Mathematics (STEM Subjects).

The deputy minister explained that the week-long programme is dedicated to addressing a shortage of skills in a sector that requires ongoing intervention by government and various other stakeholders.

“According to the International Labour Organisation, South Africa currently has the eighth highest rate of unemployment in the world and will slide to the sixth highest by 2020,” Majola said in her welcoming address.

“This is also evident from Stats SA’s recently released Quarterly Labour Force Survey Q1: 2017, which indicates that the country’s overall unemployment rate of 27.7 percent has increased to its highest in 14 years.

“The energy sector, in particular, has opportunities for young people with technical skills.

“Critical skills development in South Africa must be the business of all stakeholders, not government alone.”

Different companies operating in the energy sector will make presentations on their business, career options and the bursary opportunities on offer in respective companies.

Majola said that in preparation for this programme, the DoE had approached different partners to offer bursaries for some of the pupils of the Learners Focus Week.

“This has been the highlight of the programme in the past,” she added. “I urge all of the business leaders here today to support the Department of Energy that seeks to ensure that rural pupils, who are the most marginalised, can access higher education.”

The programme will culminate in an award ceremony at the Tabernacle at 6pm tomorrow evening.