Young graduates ready to put their skills to work
Loyiso Dyebo was among the group of young people who received their graduation certificates last week after completing one-year carpentry and community house building trade courses.
A total of 108 students had been selected to be part of the National Youth Service, a programme implemented by the National Department of Public Works and which forms part of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).
The graduation ceremony was held on Friday February 16 at Mew Way hall where the minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Sihle Zikalala, handed out the certificates.
Mr Dyebo said as young people it was essential that they empower themselves with various skills so that they can increase their chances of getting employment.
He said he feels proud that he was able to complete the course, which he had initially joined only because it paid a stipend. However, he soon realised that he was also learning a skill.
“I then noticed that I was actually paid to get a skill and I really took the programme seriously and saw its value. I’m now employed and I think this programme brought me luck and I'm now more eager to get more skills,” he said.
Mr Zikalala said a country that does not invest in its youth does not care about its future. He applauded the graduates for their dedication, discipline and determination during the course.
He described them as a beacon of hope in their various communities for ensuring that they acquire skills that would make them a better version of themselves.
He said when young people acquire skills it means that the country is alive as they will use those skills to better the country and change their communities.
He said the programme is accredited and after completing the programme they are then placed at various companies to do their practical training.
“Out of 108 graduates, 56 of these students have already found employment. It is important that we empower young people to do things with their own hands.
“We are on a journey of ensuring that we are producing more artisans because it is one of the skills needed in the country. We are not producing cheap labour on this programme but an essential service,” he said.
Another graduate, Anelisa Jenu, said she felt a sense of pride and gratitude and this was her second certificate that she earned through the Department of Public Works.
Last year she obtained a civil engineering certificate and today she was getting a carpentry certificate. She said she was happy because even the companies which they had been placed at are promising to employ them.
