Question NW2795 to the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Reply:

Addressing youth unemployment requires an all-of-society and all-of-government approach to mainstreaming of youth employment across the different sectors of the economy. In this regard, a sector-wide youth skills development programme has been conceptualised to train young people in various skills to ensure they are employable and are also able to start businesses in priority sectors with high absorption capacity such as oceans economy, manufacturing, agriculture and agro-processing and information communication technology, among others.

In collaboration with South African National Defence Force (SANDF), the department has developed a concept paper for a SANDF-led National Service to provide skills targeting women, youth and persons with disabilities. The programme will build character and develop leadership skills. Together with the South African National Defence Force and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the department is developing an implementation plan and costing the various streams and phases of implementation for the national service.

Led by the SANDF, the Department is also in discussion with various Sector Training and Education Authorities (SETAs) to collaborate on this project, which include the:

1. Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authourity (MERSETA)
2. Agricultural Sector Education and Training Authourity (AGRISETA)
3. Transport Education Training Authourity (TETA); and
4. The Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authourity (EWSETA).