Empowering the unemployed through workplace-learning

The Department of Higher Education is launching the “To the Power of X²” National Internship Programme in Mahikeng, North West.

The initiative is a flagship national workplace-learning programme of Services SETA that will connect 20,000 unemployed University and TVET college graduates from across South Africa with structured 24-month workplace opportunities.

Government says the initiative seeks to address the high rate of unemployment among graduates, as many have qualifications but lack the practical experience required to enter the labour market.

The administrator for Services SETA, Lehlohonolo Masoga, says the number of unemployed graduates in their database is staggering. “We are now sitting on a database of unemployed youth graduates in excess of 40,000 when we have a mere 20, 000 opportunities for now, which demonstrates the extent to which young people are interested in changing their lives. Similarly, we have been mobilising those who are supposed to play the role of host employers to these graduates, and employers are beginning to respond positively, especially in both the public and private sector. We are very excited that this initiative is going to be a success.”

X | @SABCNews | WATCH | The Department of Higher Education will launch the “To the Power of X²” National Internship Programme in Mahikeng, bringing together unemployed graduates, government officials and potential employers. pic.twitter.com/5kXvX4404b