A novel initiative to provide educational and job opportunities for young people has been announced by the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in KwaZulu-Natal, Sipho Hlomuka.
The Graduate support and placement program will see over 500 youth being recruited and trained in various fields that are of demand to the local government sector, these youths will then be placed in various municipalities as part of the capacity building programme.
The Department of Cogta issued an advert inviting unemployed graduates to apply. Graduates who have successfully completed a 3 or 4-year qualification in the following disciplines:
- Civil Engineering, Construction and Build Management
- Internal Audit and Risk Management
- Urban and Regional Planning
- Finance and Accounting
- Electrical Engineering
- Water Engineering and Quality Management
- Plumbing and Sanitation
- GIS and Land Use
- Human Resources Management
“The task of reposition the sphere of local government in the province of KwaZulu-Natal is going full steam ahead,” Hlomuka said as he announced the commencement of the program.
“In the assessment that we did of municipalities in our province, the glaring need for specialized skills especially in the areas of Engineering, Finance, Town planning and human resources. We, therefore, took a decision to embark on this groundbreaking project in which we will recruit young people who are graduates with the aim of sending them our municipalities where they will harness their skills and improve the level of service delivery,” said Hlomuka.
Through this initiative, we are addressing the most pressing socio-economic challenges facing young people, particularly skills development and youth unemployment in our province.
Through this program, we want to change the lives of many young people. We encourage young people to apply and take advantage of the opportunities presented by this program. We know it is not a panacea to the big unemployed challenge but a humble contribution and will make a difference.
Applications for selection into this program have officially opened and close on Friday 11 October 2019.
This will be a 24-month graduate placement programme, which we will see 500 young people deployed to municipalities across the province.
It comes hot on the heels of the launch of Operation Khawuleza (hurry up) by the department, where plant equipment valued at R160 million is being given to municipalities to assist them to respond quickly to service delivery needs of communities.
Entries for this programme officially opened on 27 September and close on Friday 11 October.
To apply young people can visit www.kzncogta.gov.za/vacancies.