KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize has described the public service career exhibition as both a huge success and eye opener for many school going learners and unemployed young people of KwaZulu-Natal. Held at KwaMsane Sports Ground in Mtubatuba over three days, the event attracted more than 2 000 learners from various municipalities in the province.
“The people of KwaZulu-Natal, especially the youth, are its greatest resource. It is critical that the talent and potential of our youth is fully developed and harnessed, so that we can guarantee the continuous socio economic development of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Africa and the world, at the same time dealing with the triple challenge of poverty, unemployment and inequality.”
“Like the rest of the country the province of KwaZulu-Natal faces high levels of unemployment, especially among the youth. The population of KZN is young, with the average age in 2009 being 26 years (KZN Treasury, 2012). Unemployment in KZN is largest among young people and stands at 23% (Labour force survey, 2011)”
“In KwaZulu-Natal education and skills levels are very low and unemployment is very high. In 2009, only 2% of the adult population of KZN had an accredited tertiary qualification (degree or diploma) and while little over 132 000 people passed matric only 26 000 earned university exemptions. The labour force currently is largely unskilled.
From 1996 to 2011 KZN grew total employment by just under 10%. This is not adequate for KZN to grow the provincial gross domestic product to the levels needed to decrease employment and increase productive growth, to provide work for those leaving school each year to address the backlog of the unemployed seeking work.”
“We find that many unemployed youth have some form of qualification but still cannot find jobs. Many have chosen fields of study that are not in high demand, making it difficult to find employment easily. It is important that learners receive the necessary guidance and support in choosing subjects that will assist them in embarking on careers of their choice, but also informed by the development needs of the province and the country.”
