Skills gap assessor gets to work in ward 64
The aim of the programme is to tackle the issue of unemployment and the shortage of skills
JOB seekers in ward 64 will be given a much-needed boost with the appointment of a skills audit data collector for the area.
The project, which has already begun, will see Nompumelelo Gumede working in the ward for the next year to identify the skills gaps.
“My role is to liaise with the community of ward 64, in order to aid eThekwini municipality in identifying the skills gaps in our community. I will be assisting our community in completing forms in order to gather the information required. The information gathered will be available, accessible and aligned to locally based socio-economic development opportunities,” said Gumede.
The 26-year-old, who was born in Umlazi and later moved to Woodlands, said the aim of the programme is to tackle the issue of unemployment and the shortage of skills on a community-wide scale.
Gumede is well-positioned to complete these goals, having gone to Montclair Senior Primary School and New Forest High School, matriculating in 2006.
After completing high school, she did a course in food and hospitality at Thekwini College, where she served as Student Representative Council (SRC) president in 2010 and later as executive SRC president of all six campuses.
“I also studied industrial, organisational and labour studies at UKZN. One of my modules was community development. It was then that my zealousness for uplifting communities was born,” she said.
According to ward councillor Billie Prinsloo, the initial age group to be targeted are men and women from 20 to 35-years-old, including disabled people.
Copies of matric certificates, diplomas and degrees and for those with their own companies, business certificates must be provided. “If a person does not have any of these because they did not further their studies, it is not a problem. They must still fill in the forms,” she said.
“This audit will not guarantee employment but will create opportunities for work-seekers,” said Prinsloo.
Gumede will be at Prinsloo’s office Mondays to Wednesdays from 9am to 2pm and at the Yellowwood Park Civic Centre Thursdays and Fridays from 9am to 2pm.
“I can’t wait to see the outcome of this project. I sincerely hope our community will be just as excited as I am about this initiative. I encourage members of this community to participate and be actively involved in making this project a success,” said Gumede.
For information call Gumede on 076-682-5986 or email pearlgumede01@gmail.com.
