Metro to tackle youth unemployment

Due to the success of last year’s inaugural Career Expo, the metro will host its second annual Ekurhuleni Career Expo and Job Summit from June 9 to 12.

Last year, more than 10 000 unemployed youths were afforded an opportunity to submit their CVs, which were placed in a database for prospective employers.

Many of these previously unemployed youngsters were selected to take part in internships, either within the metro or at one of its partner organisations in and around Ekurhuleni.

Others were awarded bursaries to continue with their studies.

The transition from high school to tertiary education, or even the workplace, can be a challenging time for young people.

They require expert advice and guidance to make the best career choices, including the appropriate courses to study for those careers and what steps to take to ensure that they do not end up with a meaningless qualification.

“The Ekurhuleni Career Expo will afford students and Ekurhuleni’s youth at large the chance to interact with various exhibiting organisations and to learn what career and job opportunities are available out there,” said Ekurhuleni’s city manager, Khaya Ngema.

“They can expect to learn about career and enterprise development opportunities from the department of public enterprises, as well as exciting learnerships and trainee programmes offered by state-owned companies like South African Airways, Eskom, Transnet and others.”

With the youth unemployment rate in Ekurhuleni currently at 36.4 per cent, it is imperative that the metro intervenes and gives young graduates a helping hand.

The Ekurhukeni Career Expo will take place at the Alberton Civic Centre on June 9 and 10, and the Job Summit will take place on June 11, at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg, followed by the Experiential Learners’ Conference, on June 12.

There will also be a business dinner and awards ceremony on the Thursday evening.

These awards will recognise businesses and organisations that have partnered with the metro to provide various job opportunities over the years.

Ekurhuleni’s executive mayor, Clr Mondli Gungubele, will present five awards, to the best youth-owned business on the move; best good, caring and responsible corporate citizen; best corporate citizen and partner on youth development; best contribution made by private sector to local schools improvement and best women-owned business employing young people.

“We urge corporates and businesses in Ekurhuleni to join hands with us, to tackle the high level of youth unemployment in our region,” Ngema said.

“To those of you who have already met this challenge, we thank you.”