Youth Development

At the backdrop of the high unemployment rate amongst South African youth, the Department of Roads and Public Works through its youth development initiatives aim to empower and capacitate youth with valuable skills that will enhance their absorption in the formal labour market. As a means of collaborative governance the department forms partnerships with the private sector, national and provincial departments, municipalities and training institutions to ensure that this objective is successfully achieved. 

The award winning Phakamile Mabija Artisanship Programme sets to train youth in becoming Electricians, Diesel Mechanics, Boilermakers, Fitting & Turners and Millwrights.  The programme stretches over 3 years of which phase 1 and 2 is institutional and theoretical training, phase 3 entails workplace training and phase 4 allows for revision, preparation and completion of a trade test.  Currently 24 women from five districts are enrolled and will obtain a red seal qualification that is internationally recognised during November 2020. The Department of Roads and Public Works is proud to announce that out of 67 apprentices, 59 successfully completed the programme and obtained work opportunities in the private and mining sector.  Through this programme in alignment of governments mandate we are taking action against the triple burden of poverty, inequality and unemployment.

Furthermore, the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority awarded the Department a discretionary grant to the value of R8,6 million to develop and train 170 unemployed youth in a trade of Electrical Engineering Renewable Energy equivalent to NQF Level 3.  The learnership intends to commence in July 2020.  

The Department was awarded a Discretionary Grant worth R10 million by the Manufacturing Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (MERSETA) which are invested towards the training of 60 youth towards becoming qualified riggers, welders, refrigeration and diesel mechanics.  In a quest to fight scarce skills in the province, these are just but some of the departments initiatives to eradicate poverty, unemployment and inequality amongst youth.