Two hundred work-seekers from around Mafikeng in the North West Province have been enrolled into a 12 months Plumbing Learnership Programme that is funded by the Department of Employment and Labour through its Labour Activation Programme (LAP).

LAP is a programme within the Department that is funded by the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF). The purpose of the programme is to skill and up-skill the unemployed UIF beneficiaries and the youth in order to gain access into the Labour Market. 

According to the Director: Public Employment Services, Ms Slindile Nkiwane whose directorate is responsible for overseeing these projects, it is envisaged that at the end of the leanership, participants would be integrated into the world of work thus assisting to reduce unemployment.

“The main objective of this learnership is to ensure that work-seekers are equipped with the necessary skills that are needed to close the skills gap and to enable the unemployed youth and UIF beneficiaries to meet the requirements of the Labour Market,” said Nkiwane.

This learnership will be offered over a period of a year and participants will do theoretical and practical work. Upon completion, participants will receive NQF level 4 certificates from Accredited Service Providers.

The leanership is part of the three projects that are earmarked for work-seekers in Ngaka Modiri Molema Local Municipality, that would see another cohort of 190 work-seekers being skilled in Bricklaying and Plumbing short skills programme. Preparations for Bricklaying and Pipe Work skills projects are at an advanced stage and are also expected to start soon.

For media enquiries contact:

Botsang Huma

Provincial Communications Officer: NW

Cell: 082 082 497 7438

Email: botsang.huma@labour.gov.za

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Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour