Over hundred and forty work seekers from different districts within the North West Province have been enrolled in the Environmental Practice, Hairdressing, and Beauty and Nail training as part of the Department of Employment and Labour’s Labour Activation Programme (LAP).

With the Environmental Practice training, learners are trained to become environmentalists and are expected that at the end they would be able to open their own businesses or be employed in the Environmental Management Industry. The Hairdressing, and Beauty and Nail training leaners are trained to become professional Hair stylists and Beauticians and same is expected of them in starting their own businesses or being employed.

The training is offered through theory and practice and the curricular has among others, business studies and field specific disciplines such as waste management, recycling, how to apply different types of makeup, nails and eyelashes.

According to the Deputy Director: LAP in the province, Jeffrey Zitha, it is envisaged that at the end of these training, participants will be able to be integrated into the world of work or open their own businesses, thus reducing unemployment and also empowering those around them.

"The aim of the training is to ensure that work seekers are equipped with the necessary skills that are needed to close the gap and to enable the unemployed youth and unemployed UIF beneficiaries to meet requirements of the labour market," said Zitha.

"With the current economic meltdown, the Department seeks to encourage work seekers, especially the youth, to look into other opportunities that can create employment for themselves and those around them," he added.

Trainings is being offered over a period of a year and upon completion, leaners will receive NQF level 4 certificates from accredited service providers.

The training on the LAP programs is provided by state owned entities including, Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges (TVETs).

LAP is a program within the Department that is funded by the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF). The purpose of the program is to skill and up-skill the unemployed youth and unemployed UIF beneficiaries in order to gain access into the labour market, and to establish their own businesses.