Thato Mgoma
The Minister of Employment and Labour, Thulas Nxesi, launched a Labour Activation Programme at Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre last Friday. Stake holders within the Labour department, government officials and community members attended.
Labour Activation Programme (LAP) is a unit within the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) whose mandate is to fund unemployment alleviation scheme. The purpose of the programme is to ensure that unemployed UIF beneficiaries are brought back into the labour market. It was discovered that the majority of UIF beneficiaries remain unemployed for a long time due to a lack of skills, making them unemployable.
The department appointed six service providers to re-skill beneficiaries in sectors such as Agriculture, Construction, Hospitality, Security, Energy, Call Centres and new venture creations. The programme is extended to include unemployed youth.
These service providers pledge to train 23,070 youth in the province with a budget of R558 million. The funds will be used to pay stipends and training material.
Nxesi promised that strict control measures will be put in place. “The department has employed systems and processes to monitor the performance of LAP service providers,” said Nxesi.
The Minister, accompanied by the Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul and his colleagues went to Galeshewe Stadium where the Department hosted a Job Fair.
The Fair was attended by a huge number of job seekers an indication of a need for jobs in the city.
The Premier’s speech was received with mixed emotions as some job seekers did not seem to believe him when he said job opportunities are always advertised. Saul then urged job seekers to follow the provincial government’s Facebook page for more information. The Minister also advised the unemployed to register on the Department’s Employment Services of South Africa database.
He further warned job seekers against fake agencies who charge for employment and to report them to the South African Police Services and the department.
“I have never seen employment opportunities because I hardly have data, I wish there were cost-friendly measures to make job application easier,” said 23-year-old Kelebogile March.
Lesedi Moremedi (28) said she is grateful for the Fair as she received helpful information from the different SETAs.
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