When posting please remember that you are wanting to create a business relationship - whether a contract or work relationship. Use your post to present a professional image of yourself & if relevant, your organisation. In addition to what you are looking for, provide your name, title, and contact details.
Over the last week - from 12 April, 2024 - the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) has been launching the Labour Activation Programme (LAP). That announcement may sound familiar to Skills-universe members - was that not already launched some time ago? Yes, Minister Nxesi explained the programme refers back to 2019, when it was first announced.
In Gauteng, Minister Nxesi was accompanied by Small Business Development Minister Ndabeni-Abrams, who explained that the programme is in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), which envisages 11 million new jobs by 2030.
For pdf copy of NDP
https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/ndp-2030-our-future-make-it-workr.pdf
The breakfast event for business was held alongside the Jobs and Careers Exhibition hosted by the Minister of Employment and Labour intended to attract young and unemployed people. The training service providers, who will provide the re-skilling of the unemployed both for employment and entrepreneurship for small business development were also recognised, and the Minister confirmed that the programme will be rolled out nationally.
For further details of the Gauteng event:
At the event in Durban, the Mail and Guardian (April 19th-25th) reports that Minister Nxesi explained that the programme was initially conceived after the 2008 global financial downturn, and was tabled with the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC), as the LAP involves partnership with employers.
Effective implementation has, however, been negatively impacted by a number of factors: the COVID-19 pandemic; the Temporary Employment Relief Scheme (TERS) to support employers affected by the COVID-19 shutdowns to retain their employees; unrest in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal in 2021; and the floods in KwaZulu-Natal in 2022. All of these events placed demands upon the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), which is the source of funding.
The opportunities will be available over 22 sectors, including the critical infrastructure sectors of construction and engineering; export sectors of agriculture, manufacturing, mining, and transport; Information and Communications Technology; and education.
As part of the national roll-out of the LAP, on the 17th April, Minister Nxesi was accompanied by the Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde as 23 Labour Activation Programmes are being launched in the province.
Media reports this week covered the large number of vacancies in Basic Education. An example of the programmes is the funding of the recruitment costs and salaries for teacher assistants.
See report on:
https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/motshekga-reveals-over-30-000-teaching-vacancies-in-sa/
Older Skills-universe members will remember that skills development effectively commenced in 2000, it was under the then Department of Labour. This funding is entirely separate from the skills levies, however, being provided by the UIF. Minister Nxesi pointed out that the UIF Act (Act 63 of 2001) allows the department to fund training for the unemployed, as well as provide development support to small enterprises, and support distressed companies - such as under TERS. In addition to supporting employers, the programme allow for re-training of people affected by company closures and employee retrenchments.
