Matriculants Encouraged to Apply for Premier's PAY Project Before End of January

Statement by Helen Zille, Premier of the Western Cape

There are nine days left for matriculants to apply for the Premier’s Advancement of Youth (PAY) project starting in April 2015. The PAY project was started two years ago and has provided matriculants with the opportunity to gain workplace experience in the Western Cape Government. The programme has provided 2 251 internships to young people so far.

The PAY internship, which will run from 7 April 2014 to 31 March 2016, will provide 750 matriculants with access to mentoring, career guidance, on-the-job training and a general exposure to skills training in one of our 13 provincial departments.

The Western Cape Government has also invested an additional R27 million into the 2015 programme to increase skills and development opportunities for matriculants.

The deadline for applications for the 2015 PAY programme is Friday 30 January 2015.

Young people wishing to apply must:

• Be between the ages of 18 and 24.
• Have written and passed the National Senior Certificate (NSC) in 2014 in the Western Cape.
• Not be studying further in 2015.
• Be a South African citizen, residing in the Western Cape.

The PAY project is a great opportunity for young people who have no support network to help them make informed career choices; are not sure of their next step after matriculating and do not have the financial resources to study further.

Applicants can submit their applications online or call 021 483 0743/4 for any further information and technical assistance.

The Western Cape Government remains committed to creating opportunities for young people so that they can better themselves and advance their careers and I look forward to meeting the 2015 PAY interns.