EMPLOYMENT and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi announced that thousands of unemployed people, through a billion-rand programme, would be employed.
He said this during a media briefing on Wednesday, 4 April. He gave an update on the plans in place to create job opportunities across various industries.
According to Nxesi, at least R23,8 billion will be allocated to implement this plan, the Labour Activation Programme (LAP) - Training for Employment and Entrepreneurship programme.
The programme will not only train people but offer them employment as well.
“Labour activation programmes are not a silver bullet to end the challenge of unemployment, but they're a viable force multiplier that can be used together with other initiatives and interventions as part of a response to mitigate unemployment,” Nxesi said.
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He said the programme was launched through the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), which funds labour activation programmes through the collection of contributions from employers and employees and revenue generated from investments to meaningfully contribute to the alleviation of poverty and unemployment in the country.
The minister said phase one of the programme will be launched in Gauteng on Saturday, 6 April 2024, at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Joburg, starting with 55 projects.
This is when the Department of Employment and Labour, together with the UIF, will partner with Gauteng’s Nasi Ispani project to ensure that the government maximises the impact of its spending by pooling resources and eliminating duplication, he said.
The programme, according to Nxesi, will progress throughout the provinces, countrywide to provide 333 recommended projects to provide seven training, small enterprise support and employment opportunities to 704 000 unemployed people.
Opportunities present in the following 22 sectors, according to Nxesi, are:
Agriculture Services
IT
Construction
Engineering
Wholesale and retail
Safety and security
Hospitality
Social services
Textile
Transport
Furniture manufacturing
Education
Energy
Food and beverage
Health and wellness
Aviation
Insurance
Jewellery
Hygiene
Arts and culture
Financial sector
The spearhead of Nasi Ispani and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, who was also present at the briefing, was adamant about ending unemployment.
“We are taking we are taking almost 500 000 unemployed people in Gauteng off the streets and back to class,” he said.
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