Employment and Labour Minister, Thulas Nxesi, has launched training programmes worth R551 million aimed to creating jobs, developing skills and supporting entrepreneurship.
The programmes were launched last week Friday at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Glenwood, Durban. These programs are aimed at creating jobs in fibre optics, food handling and mixed farming sectors.
These funds are set aside by the UIF, through its Labour Activation Programmes (LAP).
Approximately 19 921 people will benefit from this program. Majority of the beneficiaries are former UIF contributors who lost their jobs in the past.
Beneficiaries will undergo training in the following skills disciplines of the program:
• 14 771 beneficiaries as chief food handlers
• 5000 beneficiaries in enterprise development (mixed farming) and
• 150 beneficiaries as fibre optic technicians.
“In light of the added “Employment” mandate to our Department, we are urging the private sector and all potential stakeholders to partner with us to reduce and end unemployment in the country, partnerships are key to creating jobs. Therefore, all UIF training projects must be linked to employment creation because we do not want learners to idle at home upon completion of training,” Nxesi said.
