On Tuesday, 23 June 2015, the Provincial MEC of Human Settlements, Mr BS Madikizela will launch the Provincial Human Settlements Youth Brigade programme which aims to develop young people to be active participants in the built environment.
Since the start of 2012, the Western Cape Human Settlements Department has been involved in a number of initiatives to empower youth in the various People Housing Process (PHP) projects that it is in the process of implementing. Unemployed youth in a community where a housing development is about to start are identified and trained in basic building skills and then placed on the construction site to apply their skills in a mentored environment.
This is aimed at providing a stepping stone for youth who can then choose to further their careers in the construction industry or built environment as bricklayers, electricians, plumbers, project managers, construction controllers etc. The focus is on economic empowerment and self-employment and the programme is linked to Housing projects for the purpose of employment and sustainability.
Currently the programme focuses on three main areas which are; apprenticeships, learnerships and artisan development. The intention is to provide a form of exit opportunity for all the trained youth within the identified project as well as a number of other projects within other regions in the Western Cape, so as to ensure some employment as well as to ensure that the youth that have been trained, can hone and enhance their skills.
There will be opportunities for photos and interviews.
Details are below:
Date: 23 June 2015
Time: 10h00 to 12h00
Venue: 24 254 Anele Street, Bardale, Mfuleni,Cape Town,
Media enquiries:
Zalisile Mbali
Spokesperson for MEC Bonginkosi Madikizela
Tel: 021 483 4798
Cell: 078 600 7729
E-mail: Zalisile.Mbali@westerncape.gov.za
