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Eastern cape

Trainee programme unlocks job opportunities for graduates

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:00

By Proffesor Ndawonde

The Sakhithemba Graduate Development Programme, which was launched, is to unlock employment opportunities for unemployed graduates in the Eastern Cape.

Launched by the Eastern Cape MEC for Housing and Safety and Liaison Thobile Mhlahlo at a housing project site in Reeston, the programme will see graduates who are struggling to find employment working for the department on a trainee basis.

The programme aims to create employment opportunities for young people as well as provide much needed help in the housing projects in the province.

The graduates, who once studied building science, construction management, civil engineering, project management and town planning, will assist the department deliver quality housing projects as part of an in-service training.

Through this, the students will receive invaluable hands-on skills.

MEC Thobile said the youth remained an important part of the provincial government’s programmes and that the youth should be involved in departmental programmes as they are an important part of the future.

“Government has put in place youth programmes aimed at addressing unemployment amongst young people in our country. Our biggest challenge is the unemployment of graduates who have completed their degrees, diplomas at higher institution levels of education, but can not find employment,” he said.

The MEC added that over the years, the province has been greatly affected by exodus of skilled graduates due to unemployment in the province.

He said many provinces have benefited by employing the youth from this province.

“The launch of Sakhithemba graduate programme is step in the right direction because it will create employment opportunities for young unemployed graduates and also assist the department to retain and utilize much needed skills in our housing projects,” he added.

Various unemployed graduates from all districts in the Eastern Cape have been enrolled with this programme and the department will spent more than R 15 million in the next three years to ensure that the programme is effective.

- BuaNews