eThekwini artisans graduate to better opportunities
The recent graduation of over 50 young people from the eThekwini Municipality’s artisans programme is a step in the right direction to tackling the high rates of unemployment within the city. Hailed for equipping young people with the tools to find employment and create job opportunities, eThekwini is gearing up to enrol the next cohort later this year.
IN a bid to tackle rising unemployment among youth, the eThekwini Municipality created an artisan programme in 2022 which recently saw over 50 young people graduate after completing a rigorous three-year programme.
The ceremony at the Pinetown Civic Centre was attended by officials from the Durban University of Technology, industry partners, training providers, and the families of the graduates. Various companies and employment agencies which attended the event, presented their employment opportunities and services available to help absorb the graduates into the world of work.
Among those who graduated was Hlengiwe Dlamini, who expressed her appreciation for the programme and the city equipping her and fellow graduates with the tools to find employment. She said, “I joined the programme unemployed, but through the skills and knowledge I have acquired, I am now joining the workforce as a qualified professional facilitator at a reputable company.”
Also Read: Former president Jacob Zuma attends DUT graduation ceremony
The programme was designed to bridge the skills gap and tackle youth unemployment in eThekwini by equipping unemployed youth with critical technical skills in trades such as plumbing, electrical work, welding, bricklaying, and motor mechanics.
The chairperson of the Governance and Human Capital Committee, councillor Nkosenhle Madlala, praised the programme for producing qualified artisans who are ready to contribute to the local economy. He applauded the graduates for their resilience and dedication, saying the graduation should be a launchpad for them to enter the workforce and propel them into a future of self-reliance.
“This graduation is a celebration of your futures, of your dreams being realised, and employment being created,” said Madlala. Following the successful graduation of artisans, eThekwini has vowed to continue to roll out this successful programme, with plans to enrol a new cohort later this year in trades aligned with future industry demands.
For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here
