UIF boost for unemployed, youth

3/9/2010 12:40:02 PM

By Getrude Makhafola

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) is to fund a lay-off scheme aimed at training the unemployed.

“To curb unemployment and reduce the number of those who apply for unemployment benefits, the UIF has, as part of its mandate, initiated the scheme to try and get people back to work,” Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana said.

Newton Malapane, Trevor Mofokeng and Peter Kekana are among the 774 people receiving training as fitters and turners at Boksburg’s SAJ Training Institute through the scheme.

They have not been employed before and said they were happy with the training.

“This is an opportunity of a lifetime. The best part is that we are guaranteed jobs at the end of the training,” said Mofokeng from the Vaal.

The three will be placed at various hospitals from next month as part of their internship.

The project started in October 2009 and is due to be completed on July 31 next year.

“It has so far registered 774 trainees who are receiving training in various fields,” Mdladlana said.

The scheme was announced by President Jacob Zuma in his State of the Nation Address.

The group consists of 426 UIF beneficiaries and 348 young people who are non- beneficiaries. The UIF is financing the programme to the tune of R50million.

The trainees receive training in plumbing, boiler-making, electrical engineering, welding, motor mechanics, driving and as fitters and tuners.

After completion, they will be placed in government departments and municipalities where they are guaranteed jobs.