Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli has urged young people in Mfuleni to seize employment, skills and business opportunities made available through government’s Community Youth Services Outreach Programme.
Addressing youth gathered at the Mfuleni Community Hall in Cape Town on Tuesday, the Deputy Minister encouraged them to make full use of the services brought together under one roof, saying government’s goal is to ensure that when it returns, the same young people are no longer unemployed or out of school.
“You are gathered here today because you're not at work, not running your own businesses, and not at school. When we come back, we want everyone who's here to no longer be here... We want to find you at work, so that we can then have the next crop of young people that we are going to bring services to and be able to empower,” she said.
The outreach programme forms part of government’s ongoing efforts to expand access to opportunities for young people who are unemployed or not in education, employment or training. It connects youth to employment opportunities, skills development programmes, entrepreneurship support and essential civic services.
The Deputy Minister urged young people to register on SAYouth.mobi and engage with participating entities, including the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), which provides business development support and funding guidance. She also encouraged them to explore internship and training opportunities offered through the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs).
“Please make use of today's opportunity. Beyond today, go tell your friends to register on the SAyouth.mobi website… Whenever there is an opportunity that comes up, it will be posted there, and you will get an opportunity.
“It might not be a job, it might be a skills development opportunity, a learning opportunity or a business opportunity, but we assure you that these opportunities do exist, and we want you to have them as young people,” Mhlauli said.
Government departments and partners participating in the outreach include the Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Employment and Labour, the SETAs, Harambee, the Youth Employment Service (YES), the Electoral Commission (IEC) and Transnet.
The programme is expected to benefit approximately 350 young people by providing practical support, access to information and pathways into learning, work and economic participation.
The initiative underscores government’s commitment to tackling youth unemployment and ensuring that young people are connected to meaningful opportunities that can transform their lives and communities. – SAnews.gov.za
