The Minister of Public Enterprises, Mr Malusi Gigaba, today announced the establishment of a youth development unit at the department. This announcement was made at the launch of the Department of Public Enterprises’ (DPE) Youth Development Initiative (YDI) at the Tshwane North College in Soshanguve.
Minister Gigaba told learners and graduates that Mr Tshediso Matona, the department’s Director-General, is leading the initiative to assemble the unit.
Currently the unit’s work is performed by volunteers in the department and he indicated that the unit will liaise with the State Owned Enterprises (SOE) under its control to ensure that they have youth development programmes.
“We will liaise with all SOE to ensure that they have youth development programmes to respond to the challenge of the growing number of youth unemployment,” says Minister Gigaba.
He challenged the youth to seize the opportunities presented to them through the YDI and to be active participants in the growth and development of the country.
The YDI aims to inform students of opportunities such as learnerships, internships and bursaries at the SOE reporting to the department. These SOE include Eskom, Transnet, South African Airways, Broadband Infraco, Alexkor, South African Express, the South African Forestry Company and Denel.
Learners and graduates had an opportunity to interact with career officials from SOE who were exhibiting their respective career opportunities and give learners first-hand information about the requirements of internships, learnerships and bursaries available at their organisations.
Learners also asked the Minister and senior officials from SOE about the challenges in accessing information in relation to their career development.
Eskom’s Chief Executive Officer, Brian Dames, said his organisation is committed to increase their intake of trainees from 5 000 to 10 000 by 2015 to develop the country’s youth and prepare them for the massive build-programme that Eskom is currently undertaking to ensure security of electricity supply.
“South Africa needs to build infrastructure and Eskom is committed to accelerate training and skills developments amongst the youth to address the country’s youth unemployment needs,” says Mr Dames.
Minister Gigaba also announced that the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) will soon publish a Youth Development Initiative booklet, which will be available countrywide. The booklet will contain information about internships, learnerships, bursaries and the basic requirements to qualify for these opportunities.
The department also has a link on its website http://www.dpe.gov.za where learners and graduates can access these opportunities. The website will also provide links to the SOE reporting to DPE.
For further information please contact:
Makhosini Nkosi
Tel: 012 431 1111
Cell: 082 824 2576
E-mail: makhosini.nkosi@dpe.gov.za
