Partners to tackle youth job crisis

THE Transport Education Training Authority (Teta), in partnership with BankSETA, has launched a scheme to tackle youth unemployment.

It was reported that R84 million had been set aside to improve delivery of services and training opportunities as part of the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Programme.

The launch on Tuesday was at the Premier Hotel, Midrand, where members of Teta, BankSeta and other related industries came together to address the country’s youth unemployment which has soared following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Among those present were Teta CEO Maphefo Anno-Frempong, Eubert Mashabane and Teta COO Famanda Shirindza.

According to Anno-Frempong, the joint initiative between the two Setas and the Ministry of Higher Education and other partners was poised to improve the fortunes of 1 200 unemployed young people who will be trained in a variety of skills including motorbike licences, entrepreneurship training, business start-up and direct connection to the e-commerce business for delivery services.

“This initiative will arrest young people joining the swelling ranks of the unemployed. To heighten the focus on young people, the Teta EmpowaYouth programme, a Teta flagship initiative targeted 4 500 rural youth from Giyani – Limpopo, Zululand District – KwaZulu-Natal and North West with tangible opportunities in line with economic drivers in each province,” Anno-Frempong said.

She said to improve the capacity of industry employees to contribute towards knowledge and innovation, Teta had forged a partnership with the World Maritime University to place locals who want to pursue post-graduate qualifications in maritime studies.

Shirindza said a package for the technical vocational education and training colleges had already been established to ensure support for 100 students to be assisted with driving licences and further participation in a learnership programme in China.

“This programme sets out a bold vision and immediate actions to enable an economic rebound and to build the economy of the future.

“The packages in the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan are youth-centric because the ultimate aim is to empower young people and draft them to the mainstream of society as active citizens,” Shirindza said.

He added that efforts had been made to tackle the crisis of youth unemployment which stood at over 60%.