Witkoppen Clinic on a mission to empower local youth with skills and work experience
Business development manager at Witkoppen Clinic, Dagmar Kahn said the programme is aimed at reducing the high level of youth unemployment in the country.
In their concerted efforts to tackle unemployment among the youth, Witkoppen Clinic has partnered with the Youth Employment Service programme.
President Cyril Ramaphosa launched the programme in 2018 to give youngsters work experience and create jobs.
The programme has seen young people from disadvantaged communities such as Diepsloot, Kya Sands and Cosmo City being part of the workforce in a 12-month programme.
Business development manager at Witkoppen Clinic, Dagmar Kahn explained, “The programme aims to tackle unemployment in the country by placing youth with host organisations [such as Witkoppen Clinic] where they gain meaningful work experience.
“We have two cohorts of youth, one cohort started in August last year and the other started in January this year.
Kahn continued, “They are expected to work at the host organisation for 12 months and be mentored and coached during their time at the organisation.
“They are also provided with cell phones that have training modules on that they are expected to complete.”
One of the programme participants, Lesedi Mphahlele from Diepsloot said, “I saw the programme as the best opportunity for me to gain work experience. I matriculated at Diepsloot West Secondary School last year and decided that I will take a gap year this year.”
Mphahlele concluded, “After this internship programme, I want to go and study teaching or join the South African Police Service. I hope that this programme will help shape my future.”
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