The Department of Transport and Public Works is in the final stages of selecting 170 participants for the 2023 iteration of the annual National Youth Service (NYS) trade learnership programme. The NYS, which forms part of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), enables young people to gain valuable construction-related skills that will assist them to continue their learning journeys, find work, or become self-employed.
In June 2022, South Africans aged between 18 and 30 years were invited to apply for an opportunity to participate in the 2023 NYS learnership programme. This programme is focused on enabling participants to acquire theoretical and practical building skills in one of seven construction-related fields:
- Electrical,
- Plumbing,
- Bricklaying,
- Health & Safety,
- Roadworks,
- Landscaping & Horticulture, and
- Welding.
Specific learnership opportunities were offered in each of the districts of the Western Cape: The City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality, Central Karoo, Cape Winelands, Garden Route, Overberg, and West Coast. Applicants are required to reside in the district where they are applying for an NYS training opportunity.
“The current learnerships will end in October/ November 2022,” says Ferdie Jacobs, Deputy Director: Skills Development Unit.
“After their NYS training is complete, participants can apply for further training at a technical and vocational education and training (TVET) college, government department, sector education and training authority (SETA), or private sector training provider. They can also start with job hunting and explore enterprise development opportunities.”
This trade learnership programme includes:
- Undergoing theoretical and practical training at a public or private TVET college,
- working on a building site,
- applying health and safety regulations,
- maintaining work areas, and
- undertaking administrative tasks.
In addition to gaining skills and work experience, learners are asked to participate in community service activities.
In July and August 2022, current trainees assisted with:
- maintenance at an early childhood development (ECD) centre in Langa,
- renovations of two rooms at a proposed drug rehabilitation centre in Grabouw,
- maintenance at a local community facility in Saldanha Bay, and
- maintenance work and painting at a local community centre in Beaufort West.
“Our Training Liaison Officers liaise locally with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), schools and other stakeholders to identify local community needs,” said Jacobs.
The 2024 round of NYS learnership training opportunities will be advertised between April and June 2023.
