Productivity SA makes call for Youth to apply for Itukise Programme Internship
MEDIA RELEASE
02 JUNE 2020
TO ALL JOURNALISTS AND NEWS EDITORS
Internships to boost youth employment opportunities
With youth unemployment sitting at 58% in South Africa, Productivity SA, the government entity mandated to promote employment growth and productivity in South Africa, has been appointed to manage the Itukise Internship for Unemployed Graduates Programme.
Itukise, a Sesotho word that means “prepare yourself”, is an Internship programme, conceptualised by the Skills for the Economy unit of the Special Economic Zones and Economic Transformation Division (SEZ&ET) and funded by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic). The programme aims to provide relevant work experience to unemployed graduates, in-service trainees as well as candidate trainees, between the ages of 18 and 35 years, who are working towards their professional qualification.
Productivity SA, CEO, Mr. Mothunye Mothiba says “Productivity SA is proud to play a role that forms part of government ‘s strategy to tackle high unemployment levels in South Africa by equipping youth with the necessary skills to prepare them for the workplace”. “The programme will help improve the employability of young graduates, ensure their meaningful contribution towards the economy and their communities, provide them with practical skills and real-life exposure to workplace and also help them to build networks for future employment”.
Mothiba was speaking as a call for graduates to apply for placement was opened by Productivity SA, as well as an invitation for private sector companies to serve as hosts for the Interns. The Itukise Programme Project Manager at Productivity SA, Ms Lalane Janse van Rensburg, says “The Itukise Programme will cater for 1 200 unemployed graduates, in-service and professional trainees for up to 3 years.
Graduates who are eligible to apply for the programme are placed in three categories. The first category that is eligible to apply is Professional trainee candidates, who have completed a National Diploma or Degree in any of the Industrial, Electro-Mechanic, Mechanical, Electrical and Civil Engineering fields, who are unemployed and have not been in an internship programme aligned to the discipline.
The second category that is eligible to apply is young graduates who have completed a South Qualifications Authority (SAQA) recognised qualification of NQF Level 6 (National Diploma or Degree) from any institution of higher learning. Such graduates should be unemployed and not have been in employment nor an internship in their field of study.
The third category that is eligible to apply, is young unemployed students from the Technical and Vocational Education Training Colleges (TVETs) and Universities of Technology (UoTs), who need practical training for a duration of 6 -18 months to fulfil their qualification requirements. These trainees will be placed in host enterprises for their in-service training where they will be expected to complete their training log books and attendance.”
“As Productivity SA, we are thrilled to be given the opportunity to manage the Itukise Internship for Unemployed Graduates Programme on behalf of the dtic. We are confident that it will open up massive opportunities for young graduates to develop their skills and equip them with relevant work experience to reach their full potential and contribute to the South African economy”, concludes Janse van Rensburg. Graduates interested to be part of the Internship programme can visit www.productivitysa.co.za , careers section and download an application form for completion. For information on applications please contact Project Managers Neo Lekaowa on neol@productivitysa.co.za or Lalane Janse van Rensburg at lalanejvr@productivitysa.co.za
ENDS
For media enquiries please contact Productivity SA media liaison officer, Maupi Monyemangene, on 011 848 5397/ 0824473232 or e-mail: maupim@productivitysa.co.za Issued by: Productivity SA
BOARD MEMBERS:
Prof. M.P Mdwaba (Chairman); Mr M.P Mothiba (CEO); Ms F. Khan; Ms S.Singh; Ms. A. Al-Anani; Mr W.C Nolingo; Dr A. Chetty; Ms M. Bronkhorst;
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