The Northern Cape Youth Employment Initiative aims to employ 150 graduates and place them in departments in the Northern Cape in their field of study. 

Premier Zamani Saul was accompanied by MECs, as well as the CEOs of SACGRA, FASSET and a representative of the merSETA at the launch held on Thursday (15/8).

“It is my firm view that through this internship programme, the interns will better comprehend the public sector, its value, work ethics, and prospects. This will also assist us in developing a new generation of public sector cadres who are capable of assisting us to achieve our vision of a Modern, Growing, and Successful Province,” said Saul.

This programme will benefit 150 students and graduates from all five Northern Cape districts and will be placed in public and private sector institutions. One of the private sector employers is AfriSam, the leading supplier of superior quality construction materials and technical solutions.

This project includes disciplines such as finance, accounting, marketing, IT, and engineering amongst others.

“The strategy will ensure young people are in a position to meet the critical skills requirements in sectors such as mining, agriculture, tourism, and renewable energy. All these sectors are pivotal to the province’s economy.”

Two of the newly appointed students/graduates from the program. Photo: Jeremiah Dire

Earlier in the week, Stats SA released the Quarterly Labour Force Survey, where the Northern Cape had the fourth lowest unemployment rate in the country with 30% official unemployment.

“Whilst much work has gone into ensuring the province creates an enabling environment for economic growth, the Northern Cape unemployment rate increased by 3.7 percentage points from 28.3% in the first quarter to 32% in the second quarter of 2024. This essentially means the number of people employed in the province decreased by 17,000 to 314,000.”

The provincial government has promised to work together with the various SETAs, to continue providing young people with skills development programmes such as internships, learnerships, artisanships, apprenticeships, work-integrated learning and skills programmes.

OFM News/Casey-Lee Anthony dg