The Transport Education Training Authority, in partnership with BankSeta, has launched its grand scheme to tackle youth unemployment.
THE TRANSPORT Education Training Authority (Teta), in partnership with BankSeta, has launched its grand scheme to tackle youth unemployment.
It was reported that R84 million had been set aside to improve the delivery of services and training opportunities as part of the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Programme (ERRP).
The scheme launch took place at the Premier Hotel in Midrand on Tuesday, where members of Teta, BankSeta and other related industries came together to address the country’s youth unemployment, which has soared following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Among those present were Teta CEOs Maphefo Anno-Frempong and Eubert Mashabane and Teta COO Famanda Shirindza.
According to Anno-Frempong, the joint initiative between the two Setas and the ministry of higher education and other partners was poised to improve the fortunes of 1,200 unemployed young people who will be trained in a variety of skills, including motorbike licences, entrepreneurship training, business start-up, and direct connection to the e-commerce business for delivery services.
“To heighten the focus on young people, the Teta EmpowaYouth programme, a Teta flagship initiative, targeted 4,500 rural youth from Giyani, Limpopo, Zululand District, KwaZulu-Natal and the North West with tangible opportunities in line with economic drivers in each province,” the CEO said.
She said to improve the capacity of industry employees to contribute towards knowledge and innovation, Teta had forged a partnership with the World Maritime University to place locals who want to pursue post-graduate qualifications in Maritime Studies (MSc and PhD).
Shirindza said a package for the TVET colleges had already been established to ensure support for 100 students to be assisted with driving licences and further participation in a learnership programme in China.
“This programme sets out a bold vision and immediate actions to enable an economic rebound and to build the economy of the future. The packages in the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan are youth-centric because the ultimate aim is to empower young people and draught them into the mainstream of society as active citizens,” Shirindza said.
He added that efforts had been made to tackle the crisis of youth unemployment, which stood at over 60%.
“We are making strides to tackle youth unemployment, which is a crucial aspect of the country’s economic recovery strategies. The EmpowaYouth programme is designed to prepare youth to thrive in the future of work, generate new widespread prosperity and lay the groundwork for rural youth to be included in the mainstream of the economy. This will help us get them back to work immediately while building a more just, inclusive and resilient economy,” Shirindza said.
