Hope for unemployed youths

News
THE Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment ministry has joined hands with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to implement practical programmes to create employment opportunities for young people in urban communities.

THE Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment ministry has joined hands with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to implement practical programmes to create employment opportunities for young people in urban communities.

MTHANDAZO NYONI OWN CORRESPONDENT

The programme targets those between the ages of 15 and 35 years who are able to read and write. They would be taught practical courses such as mechanics, plumbing, arts and electronics, among others, free of charge.

The training would be conducted at youth vocational training centres dotted around the country.

Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment minister Francis Nhema on Wednesday confirmed that the ministry had embarked on the programme, but referred all questions to the ministry public relations office.

A woman at the ministry’s public relations office, who declined to be named, said the programme would benefit youths in urban areas and was open to anyone.

She said the ILO had developed and provided technical support as well as equipment to the government to help in implementing the skills.

“This is an ongoing programme and ILO has provided the government with the equipment. The programme will address the skills gap that schools do not cover,” the woman said.

“It is targeting every young person regardless of what qualification they have. It encompasses all those who failed to make it to colleges due to financial challenges. We also link them to financiers so that they can start their own projects,” she said.

The programme combines the objectives of increasing employment opportunities for youths while at the same time improving industry productivity and economic growth across a variety of sectors.

The government also implemented the Skills for Youth Employment and Rural Development programme in 30 districts in nine provinces focusing on improving the sustainability and quality of jobs as well as income in selected economically viable sectors for training in rural economic empowerment.