A bold new initiative to tackle youth unemployment has been launched by the Services Seta which aims to place 20,000 TVET College and university graduates.
Delegates at the official launch were told that the aim of The Power of X² is to connect graduates with structured workplace learning that builds confidence, develops skills and prepares them for the future.
"Because every graduate deserves the opportunity to gain meaningful workplace experience," said Services Seta Administrator Lehlohonolo Masoga. Masogo said that the programme is called X because it bring expanding opportunities, more experience to th e youth, exposure, excellence and exchange. "We want to create opportunities for the youth who are left out of the labour market so that they can accumulate this experience. Internships will run over 24 months, rather than the usual 12 months.
We are mobilising employers who are going to become host employers to these graduates. We are getting some traction from employers both in the public and private sector.
The national Minister for Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela was present to officially launch the programme. The SETAs fall under his department's Skills Development department.
Unemployed College or University graduates can register online at serviceseta.org.za.
