With the aim of reducing youth unemployment in the Northern Cape, the provincial Department of Health has started with the training of 30 youths in emergency medical services.
WITH the aim of reducing youth unemployment in the Northern Cape, the provincial Department of Health has started with the training of 30 young people in emergency medical services (EMS).
The group, which is evenly split into 15 young men and 15 young women, had to go through a rigorous physical training programme before being selected.
As part of the selection criteria, the group also had to ensure they met the academic requirements, which stipulated that applicants had to be in possession of a Grade 12 certificate with pure mathematics and physical science as subjects.
The MEC for Health, Maruing Lekwene, said the group will complete a one-year EMS course and will be issued with Care Certificates upon the successful completion of the course.
Lekwene added that thousands of job opportunities have so far been created for youths in his department.
“As of June 2023, the department has appointed a total of 3,287 young people ranging between the age of 21 and 35 years. This intervention is inclusive of clinical and non-clinical personnel, which reflects a major milestone in reducing youth unemployment,” said Lekwene.
The selected candidates indicated that they were elated to be part of the training programme.
One of the candidates, Refilwe Monogeng, said she was unemployed and was overjoyed when she received news that her application was successful.
“I was not employed for about three years. It was very strenuous and depressing. I read about this opportunity and thought I should give it a try by putting in my application. Out of the thousands of applications, I was so happy to hear that I was one of the candidates who will complete the training. This will open many doors for me and unravel other opportunities in the health sector which might interest me,” said Monogeng.
Another candidate, Boikaelelo Mohibi, said he is happy to be afforded the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of his mother.
“I am from a family of EMS workers. My mother and older brother are both EMS workers. I was always fascinated with the EMS sector and cannot wait to explore it deeper. This opportunity will also grant me the opportunity to be part of the conversation as well as put in a word or two when my mother and brother discuss matters on work,” Mohibi chuckled.
