Desperate youth ready for solar technicians opportunity
Groups of young people from across Gauteng gathered outside the Gautrain Management Agency offices in hopes of getting their CVs. This is after they were misinformed by a media briefing invitation that made its way across various social media groups and pages.
Premier of Gauteng, Panyaza Lesufi, led a press conference on Friday (May 5) at the Midrand offices to publicize the newly opened solar technicians skills development opportunity launched by the provincial government in partnership with MerSETA.
Thulile from Attredgeville in the City of Tshwane was one of the desparate young people who came to the Gautrain offices looking to get their applications through to Lesufi.
“I would really part of the solar technicians training project. I will make sure that I put my CV in when the post comes out on Monday. I would be very happy if my application is recommended,” she said.
The Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority, or MerSETA for short, will lead the skills development programme where young people are expected to be trained to become accredited solar technicians.
The programme is looking to recruit 6,000 young South African citizens in the Gauteng province that have matriculated post-2016 and are unemployed. The learners will be given a stipend that ranges between R4000 to R 7000, depending on their qualifications. (R4000 for matric holders, and R7000 for those with higher qualifications).
“This project can take 25,000 but we couldn’t do it first as our sponsors had to be sure with at least 6,000 first qualified, then it may be extended,” said the Premier.
One parent joined the group of young people standing outside 44 on Grand Central, looking to get more information about the opportunity for her son.
My son is good in IT, fully qualified and he is unemployed. Kindly assist the youth out there, please please we are standing here. Let’s do it for our young people,” the mother urged Premier Lesufi.
During the media briefing, Lesufi acknowledged the young people outside the premises and said their presence shows how eager the youth are for opportunities.
Mapepeza editor, Stephen Seakgwe, went to the media briefing but decided to stay outside and listen to the young people who were outside. Most of them were told that they must hurry and bring their CVs to the Premier during the briefing.
Seakgwe spent a few minutes after the briefing to inform those who were still on their way to turn back and wait for the announcement on May 8. He also met a couple of solar technicians who were running their own enterprises and looking to get in the mass-employment programme.
Paul Bloemstein (42) owns PSC Electronics and says he would like to work with Gauteng government in either training or providing job opportunities.
For more information on requirements, contacts for sending the applications and enquiries, visit the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) page on Facebook, or www.sayouth.mobi.