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Public works learnership a scam

The scam, circulating on social media, promises to place jobseekers and graduates in a learnership programme.

The department of public works has put out a warning to pupils and graduates who are seeking jobs of a scam promising 700 learnerships at the department.

The scam promises to place jobseekers in a number of fields, including bricklaying, plumbing, carpentry, boiler making and tiling.

“While the department has trained, and continues to train, hundreds of youth in these fields through its Expanded Public Works programme, the recruitment on the internet through social networks, SMS and WhatsApp is a scam,” said spokesperson Thami Mchunu.

The circulating link takes jobseekers to a jobs department website with a headline on the site that reads “Public Works Learnership Programmes”.

When clicking on the application for jobs, it takes applicants to a Facebook sign-up page that requests personal information like name and surname, date of birth, phone number and email address.

Mchunu said the contact people on the site, Ester Sehlapelo and Linda Kaseke, do not work for the department.

“The department of public works is an equal opportunity employer and would never exclusively advertise jobs and learnership programmes on the internet and social media because that would exclude a large number of South Africans not on social media.”

He urged jobseekers to verify the legitimacy of social media posts before disclosing personal information.

“If in doubt, members of the public must go to the nearest public works office to verify with the human resources unit or the human capital investment unit.”

Also read:

Sad reality for graduates

Beware of scam, says police

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