The Minister of Employment and Labour, Thulas Nxesi, will on Friday, 4 March 2022, launch training projects aimed at creating jobs in the fibre optics, food handling and mixed farming sectors.

The projects are being undertaken through a partnership agreement between the Fuze Institute for Humanitarian Praxis and the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), an entity of the Department of Employment and Labour.

The UIF, through its Labour Activation Programmes (LAP), has set aside R551 million for the three projects for 19 921 beneficiaries – 70% of which are former UIF contributors who lost their jobs – to undergo training in the following skills disciplines:

 

• 14 771 beneficiaries as Chief Food Handlers;

 

 

• 5000 beneficiaries in Enterprise Development (mixed farming); and

 

 

• 150 beneficiaries as Fibre Optic Technicians.

 

Already, the 14 771 beneficiaries have been employed by the Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal after completing their training.

The Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs in KwaZulu-Natal has pledged to support the 5000 learners’ co-operatives by purchasing their farming produce while Link Africa has committed to employing the 150 beneficiaries as Fibre Optic Technicians upon completion of training.

The training programmes include theory and practicals while learners also receive monthly stipends.

The Minister will be supported by the Education MEC Kwazi Mshengu, eThekwini Mayor Cllr Mxolisa Kaunda, senior government officials and UIF Advisory board members.