Latest news with #Workers'Day
IOL News
5 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Closing the skills gap: how training programmes are reshaping the workforce
Jennifer Mdluli is a radio broadcaster, Head coach and Founder of Emerald Gymnastics Club, and facilitator dedicated to youth and community development. As South Africa observes Workers' Day in May, the occasion carries a bitter undertone for many young people. For them, this time no longer symbolises hard-won labour rights or economic progress; it is instead a reminder of exclusion, unemployment, and unfulfilled promise. According to Stats SA, the unemployment rate stood at 31.9% in Q1 2024 and rose to a staggering 32.9% in Q1 2025. The expanded unemployment rate, which includes discouraged job seekers, reached 43.1%. Among the youth, the picture is even bleaker. While time-related underemployment remains at 4.6%, suggesting some are working fewer hours than they are willing and able to, the broader concern is the quality and accessibility of jobs. Distressingly, only 9.8% of employed youth are graduates, highlighting a harsh truth: higher education, while essential, no longer guarantees employment. This disconnects between education and economic opportunity reveals systemic issues. Many young South Africans remain locked out of the workforce, not because of a lack of will or potential, but due to structural inequalities, limited access to quality education, a lack of job creation, and persistent socio-economic barriers. The growing number of NEETs (youth not in employment, education, or training) is perhaps the clearest indicator of a generation at risk of long-term marginalisation. Without targeted interventions such as inclusive labour market policies, youth-focused entrepreneurship support, and stronger links between education and industry, South Africa risks losing the demographic dividend its youth could offer. As we reflect this workers month, let us not only honour the workers who built and sustain our economy, but also confront the realities faced by those still striving to enter it. South Africa cannot afford to leave its youth behind. The Urgent Call for Skills Training With traditional job pathways shrinking, young people are turning to alternative ways of becoming employable. Skills training has emerged as a practical and empowering solution - one that not only teaches job-ready competencies but also boosts confidence, independence, and long-term resilience. Recent data shows that youth with some form of experience are significantly more successful in transitioning into employment than adults. Between quarters, 12.3% of youth moved from unemployment or inactivity into work, compared to 7.4% of adults. This highlights the importance of early exposure to real-world work environments and practical skills. Community-Based Change: The Mordecai Ndlovu Foundation In response to this urgent need, organisations like the Mordecai Ndlovu Foundation are stepping up to close the gap from the ground up. Through initiatives such as the Waste Management Skills Programme, the foundation is equipping young people with accredited, industry-relevant skills that address local employment gaps. More than just training, these programmes offer: Stipends to alleviate financial pressure during the learning process Hands-on practical experience to ensure real-world readiness Structured mentorship and support, helping youth navigate the pathway into work As Mordecai Ndlovu, a passionate member of the Activate! Change Drivers and Generation G Champion, explains: 'I've had the privilege of driving social discussions around youth development in communities such as Tembisa, Orange Farm, Katlehong, and the Vaal. Our focus has been on creating meaningful programs and dialogues that address the unique challenges faced by young people. Through skills training, we bridge the employment gap by ensuring our youth are not only employable but equipped with practical industry skills.' Work, gender, and justice: a generation's call for change The future of work must also be gender-just. South Africa cannot address youth unemployment without tackling the deep gender inequalities that restrict access to opportunities and perpetuate violence. The Generation Gender (Gen G) program - a partnership between Activate! Change Drivers, ActionAid, and Sonke Gender Justice - is a vital response. Gen G works to build gender-equitable, violence-free societies, empowering youth as agents of change, especially in addressing the persistent crisis of gender-based violence (GBV). Skills training, therefore, must do more than prepare people for jobs - it must be transformative. Programmes must intentionally dismantle gender stereotypes, promote safety in training and workspaces, and ensure that young women, queer youth, and non-binary individuals are fully included. For example, the Waste Management Skills Programme not only creates green jobs but also challenges male-dominated norms, opening up new possibilities for inclusion and leadership. The political moment: from symbolism to structural change With South Africa entering a new political phase under a Government of National Unity (GNU), the country is presented with a rare opportunity for collective, forward-thinking action. Workers' Month in May must be more than commemorative; it must become a moment of commitment. The GNU must mainstream youth employment and gender justice into national policy, from funding inclusive skills training to protecting vulnerable workers from exploitation and harm. Partners like those in the Gen G alliance are already doing the groundwork, hosting dialogues, training changemakers, and shifting norms at the grassroots. Now, national leadership must match this momentum with bold reforms. This includes scaling up community-based innovations, strengthening industry-education partnerships, and ensuring that youth are not just beneficiaries of programs but leaders of change. The bigger picture: skills, not just jobs Statistics show that 65% of employers report skills shortages, not a lack of applicants. The most in-demand attributes aren't just technical skills, but soft skills like communication, adaptability, and problem-solving. These are competencies that programs like the Waste Management Skills Programme actively develop. In this light, training programs are not just a stopgap, they are a sustainable pathway to a reimagined workforce that values adaptability and lifelong learning. They also promote social inclusion, dignity, and a renewed sense of purpose for young people. A call to action South Africa's youth face a challenging job market, but hope lies in proactive, community-driven initiatives. Skills training offers more than employability; it offers empowerment. Organisations like the Mordecai Ndlovu Foundation are proving that with the right support, potential can be unlocked, and futures reshaped. Let this Workers' Day be more than a symbolic gesture. Let it be a call to invest in our youth, in skills development, and in programs that uplift from the grassroots. * Jennifer Mdluli is a radio broadcaster, Head coach and Founder of Emerald Gymnastics Club, and facilitator dedicated to youth and community development. A member of Activate! Change Drivers, an organisation that fosters youth leadership and inspires social change through creativity and engagement, Jennifer is committed to supporting efforts that promote equality, inclusion, and empowerment for all individuals.
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The Citizen
26-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Play area transformed after collective community effort [Pics]
WHAT began as a simple Facebook post turned into a strong show of support from the community, which came together on Workers' Day to revamp the children's play area in Hutchison Park. When Bronwyn Andrea Bewick took to social media to complain about the state of the park, local businesses, individuals and organisations, including Salajees Hardware, Easigrass, Holm Fabrications, Kings Hardware, Pinetown Poles, Franco Molato and Love Cities, Love Toti, banded together to make a difference. Also read: Kingsway's water polo coach brings provincial prowess Kathy Sinclair of Love Cities, Love Toti said, 'We are convinced that the solutions to our crumbling communities can only be found in unity. Finding like-minded people, co-creating solutions and buying into a collective vision is key to rebuilding our towns and cities in South Africa. We made a difference and made a playground safe for the children again and in the process, we had fun.' For more South Coast Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
43 000 Mpumalanga residents lose jobs in first quarter of 2025
The country celebrated Workers' Day on May 1, but about 43 000 Mpumalanga residents lost their jobs in the first three months of this year. These unfortunate people are unlikely to have joined the celebrations. Stats SA released the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the first quarter of 2025 on Tuesday, May 13. The results for the first quarter of 2025 show that the total number of unemployed youth (15 to 34 years) increased by 151 000 to 4.8 million, while employed youth recorded a decrease of 153 000 to 5.7 million. As a result, the youth unemployment rate increased from 44.6% in the fourth quarter of 2024 to 46.1% in the first quarter of 2025. ALSO READ: Public warned against illegal sand mining Currently, youth unemployment in Mpumalanga is at 46.4%, one of the highest in the country. Unemployed jobseekers stand on the sides of the roads in Mbombela every day, seeking temporary job opportunities. During an interview with a jobseeker in the CBD, Carol Ndlovu (not her real name) said due to the high number of unemployed people in the area it has become difficult to find permeant employment. Ndlovu said many people prefer to clean their own homes and the increase in unemployed people has made it more difficult to find work opportunities. 'The hardest days are when I have to borrow money for the bus fee, yet I go home without any money. Some days we go home without anyone offering us work and this means I do not get to raise money for transport to go back home. I tried to apply for work, however, I struggled to find opportunities. I have a family, so I decided to wake up every morning, get onto a bus and leave my township so that I might put food on the table.' Siyabonga Maziya, another unemployed resident, said they face various challenges in their quest to make ends meet. 'We sometimes stand on the side of the road and we are unable to take money home because we could not find any opportunities. We have tried to apply for jobs but we are not getting anything.' ALSO READ: High court orders that assets be seized after alleged R5m Covid-19 PPE fraud uncovered In a statement, Grovè-Morgan said the DA is concerned that over 40 000 residents of the province have lost their jobs in the first quarter of this year. The QLFS report also revealed that the majority of the job losses were in the agriculture, mining and construction sectors. 'These job losses paint a very bleak picture of Mpumalanga's job market, where the unemployment rate increased to 35.4 % from 34.7% at the same time last year. Furthermore, the number of discouraged work seekers (expanded unemployment rate) in Mpumalanga increased to over 2.5 million (49.3%) out of a population of 5.1 million. 'The province's lost generation, the youth, contributes significantly to the expanded unemployment rate. This is a crisis that needs to be tackled by both the provincial government and the private sector.' The newspaper contacted the Office of the Premier for a comment and was referred to the Department of Economic Development and Tourism. By the time of going to press the department had not responded to the enquiry. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Borneo Post
18-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Abg Jo: Sarawak govt to fund full-time undergraduate studies for S'wakian workers
Abang Johari speaks during the press conference while joined by Dr Sim (seated right), Gerawat (seated left), Abu Bakar (third left), Yii (second right) and others. – Photo by Jude Toyat KUCHING (May 18): Sarawakian workers who wish to pursue full-time undergraduate studies will have the opportunity to do so next year, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. He said the Sarawak government will fully sponsor higher education for eligible Sarawakians who choose to enrol in state-owned higher learning institutions as part of its broader goal to strengthen human capital through lifelong learning. 'We are serious about building our talent pool, which is why we are investing in free higher education for our people starting in 2026. 'I am not making empty promises. I have already secured the funds for this initiative and the Sarawak government will pay for the education. 'All you need to do is just focus on studying to upgrade your skills,' he said when officiating the Sarawak-level Workers' Day celebration at Hikmah Exchange Convention Centre here today. In addition to providing free tertiary education to students starting next year, Abang Johari said the state government has decided to allow working individuals or those who have been previously in the workforce to return for full-time studies. The state-owned higher learning institutions in Sarawak are Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Curtin University Malaysia, University of Technology Sarawak, i-CATS University College and Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak. Later at a press conference, the Premier explained that financial support will be provided as long as the applicants meet the basic eligibility criteria namely that they must hold the 'K' status in their MyKad to prove that they are Sarawakians, be enrolled as full-time students, and are accepted to pursue their studies at the higher-learning institution. 'Yes, the education will be completely free. As long as the applicant is accepted by the university and registered as a full-time student, we will cover the costs. 'There is no age limit. Even if you are 60 years old, you can still apply, as long as you have the 'K' status,' he confirmed. He, however, noted that this initiative does not extend to those who wish to pursue Distance Learning (PJJ). 'PJJ is not covered. It must be full-time studies. If you are working and wish to study part-time through PJJ, it will not be covered. 'We are focusing on those who wish to commit to studying full-time,' he stressed. Also present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, State Secretary State Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala, and Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii. abang johari lead sarawakian sponsor undergraduate studies workers
The Citizen
17-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Wedela SAPS inspires future heroes at Little Explore Day Care's career day
As part of Workers' Day celebrations, members of the Wedela SAPS and other emergency services visited the Little Explore Day Care Centre to educate and inspire children about different career paths. The event was led by Sergeant Zikhona Sifuba, the station's Social Crime Prevention Officer, who shared insights about police work and highlighted the diverse career opportunities within the South African Police Service (SAPS). 'I explained to the learners that SAPS is made up of many departments — from social workers and mechanics to educators and investigators,' said Sifuba. The children also got to interact with ER24 paramedic Thulisile Mkhutyukelwa, who spoke about the role of paramedics in saving lives, and firefighter Lwazi Sola, who cautioned the children to stay away from fire and never play with matches. The highlight of the day was the children dressing up as their dream professions. The centre was filled with mini police officers, doctors, paramedics, firefighters, teachers, and other professionals. 'It was heartwarming to see the excitement on their faces. They were proud of their outfits and eager to learn,' Sifuba added. The outreach event reached 110 young learners, and the principal of Little Explore Day Care expressed deep gratitude for the effort shown by the visiting team. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
