construction sector
20 June 2006
Opportunities for youth in construction and entrepreneur support were the
focus of the dialogue that North West MEC for Public Works, honourable Howard
Yawa, Head of the Department, Mr Obakeng Mongale, and senior officials of the
Department held with young people involved in the construction sector on
Tuesday, 20 June 2006, in Mafikeng.
The objective of the dialogue was to evaluate youth involvement and
participation in the construction sector and to highlight opportunities
available for youth in the construction industry and through programmes of the
Department of Public Works.
In his opening remarks, MEC Yawa said that youth involvement in the
construction sector is critical to close the gap between the first economy and
the second economy and to meet the critical skills shortage in the construction
sector.
The Department reported that although government through the Broad Based
Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) and the Preferential Procurement Policy Acts
sought to also empower young people through tendering and procurement
processes, their participation has not improved significantly.
In its presentation, the Provincial Youth Commission through its Deputy
Chairperson raised lack of funding for start up for youth interested in
business, exit opportunities for youth involved in government initiated
programmes and lack of co-ordination among youth development agencies as
critical challenges to youth development.
Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) highlighted support services that
they offer youth entrepreneurs and invited them to access the Umsobomvu
Business Development Services Voucher Programme through it to assist them in
business planning, feasibility studies, marketing plans, bookkeeping and
accounting, contracting and mentorship.
The dialogue resolved to strengthen partnership by among others:
*·encouraging youth contractors to register with the Construction Industry
Development Board (CIDB);
*·establishing a database of youth in construction;
*·assisting youth, particularly Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP)
beneficiaries to establish cooperatives to leverage opportunities as part of
exit strategy;
*·popularising the use of Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) and
Enterprise Information Centres (EIC) to source opportunities for youth;
*·convening a Provincial Youth in Construction Indaba.
Provincially 5 355 youth benefited through job and training opportunities
created through the EPWP in the last financial year, while the Department of
Public Works established 38 learnership contractors as a contribution towards
deepening youth development.
Further details contact:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: (018) 387 2447
Cell: 083 629 1987
Issued by: Department of Public Works, North West Provincial
Government
20 June 2006
