Minister Winde Encourages Class of 2013 to Work Hard | Western Cape Government

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Minister Winde Encourages Class of 2013 to Work Hard

4 December 2013

As the class of 2013 gets ready to embark on the next phase of their lives, Alan Winde, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, had one message for them: “Work hard to get a job, because a job is the best way out of poverty”.

Minister Winde said he hoped that every matriculant put their full effort and dedication into finding employment.

“We know that youth is the demographic with the highest unemployment rate and I want to encourage the class of 2013 to be proactive in their search for work. The Western Cape has a range of interventions designed to increase opportunities for young people that are unemployed, despite trying hard to get a job.

“We have had success with initiatives such as the Premier’s Advancement of Youth project and Work and Skills. We see this when we speak to young people who have been in the programmes. They have skills, on the job training and this means they are taken from being unemployable to employable, they have been given hope that they can play a meaningful role in the economic future of our country.”

The Premier’s Advancement of Youth project has so far given 1 425 matriculants practical training through working in a government department for a year.

Over the next two years, the project will reach 2 000 matriculants.

Work and Skills, one of the Western Cape’s flagship work readiness programmes, has provided opportunities for more than 4 000 young people since 2009 and permanent employment for 1 958 participants.

Going ahead the Western Cape’s key growth areas will be in the Oil and Gas sector and in Business Process Outsourcing (BPO).

“These sectors will deliver a massive boost to youth employment, especially those trained as artisans. Our current artisans are an average of 55 years old, nearing retirement, so this a good career choice for young people. Over the next few weeks, I wish our matriculants well as they take the first steps in shaping successful and productive futures,” said Minister Winde.

Media Enquiries: 

Bronwynne Jooste
Spokesperson for Minister Alan Winde
Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism
Tel: 021 483 3550
Cell: 082 454 4365
E-mail: bronwynne.jooste@westerncape.gov.za