GEORGE NEWS - The Western Cape Government has set a target to help 11 300 qualified apprentices enter the labour market by 2019.
This is part of the province's Game Changer initiatives to increase the number of young people getting on-the-job training as apprentices.
In a bid to make it easier for businesses to take on apprentices, Province has enlisted the help of its Red Tape Reduction Unit.
To attain the goal of getting 11 300 apprentices ready for the labour market by next year, province wants to partner with schools, Tvet colleges and employers.
Economic Opportunities Minister Alan Winde says in a media statement that apprenticeships represent the first step on the career ladder for a lot of young people, but employers need to be at the centre of this.
"They are able to create a bridge that will take youngsters from their educational institutions into the workplace, where they can learn skills that are vital to our economy," he says.
"If we want to meet our targets, we have to change the way artisans and technical colleges are viewed by young people and their parents, and make it easier for employers to hire them as apprentices.
"This is why we have brought our Red Tape Reduction Unit on board. They have been equipped to answer questions and direct enqueries to the right place."
The Red Tape Reduction Unit was set up to help businesses overcome hurdles they might face in setting up or running their business.
Winde took to the streets earlier this week to distribute flyers detailing the benefits of employing apprentices, which include boosting productivity and tax incentives.
Five priority sectors
To ensure that the right skills are available, the Game Changer team have worked with employers to identify which skills are required in the five priority sectors.
The five sectors, with examples of some of the skills required, are:
- Oil and Gas: Air conditioner technicians, refrigeration mechanics, boat builders, bricklayers, riggers, pipe fitters.
- Tourism: Bakers, tour guides, chefs, sports and fitness instructors.
- Agri-processing: Electricians, fitters and turners, microbiologists, food technicians.
- Energy: civil engineers, environmental health specialists, electricians.
- ICT: Software developers, programmers, systems analysts, telecommunications engineers.
Employers who are interested to take hands with Province in this initiative, may contact the red tape hotline on 0861 888 126 or e-mail redtape@westerncape.gov.za with their enquiries.
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