Bitou embarks on skills development initiative for youth
PLETTENBERG BAY -
Bitou Municipality has launched an initiative to mitigate unemployment and inadequate skill levels among the youth.
Over the past week, the municipality sent 45 of its employees to pursue an advanced diploma in public administration and an additional 10 employees to enrol for a higher certificate in economic development at the University of the Western Cape (UWC).
Illustrating its dedication to gender equality, 21 of the officials participating in the skills development initiative are male and 24 female.
“This step follows a Bitou Municipal Council decision on 30 June 2022, to approve the municipality's Education, Training, and Development Policy,” the Bitou municipal communication team said.
The policy aligns with key South African legislation and frameworks, including the
South African Qualifications Authority (Saqa), the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), and the National Skills Development Strategy 3.
During the send-off to Cape Town, new Bitou Mayor Claude Terblanche, who is also participating in the programme, encouraged the staff to work hard and use the opportunity to elevate themselves.
He also praised Bitou Municipal Manager Mbulelo Memani for his focus on skills development.
"Even when
I was still a merchandiser, some of my friends were already working with him and they had also benefited," Terblanche said.
"The world is changing and it's important to have skills so that you can still stand tall in the face of a rapidly evolving global and technological landscape."
He noted that service delivery should not be hampered by them taking on the extra workload.
“The world is changing and it’s important to have skills so that you can still stand tall in the face of a rapidly evolving global and technological landscape.”