Minister Nxesi, launches Employment Centre and R84 Million Rand UIF mobile buses in Newcastle, Kwazulu-Natal
In a major boost to bringing services of the Department closer to the people and job creation, the Minister of Employment and Labour, Thulas Nxesi, officially opened a Youth Employment Centre and also launched mobile buses in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal today, 22 June 2021.
The Minister was accompanied by the Mayor of Amajuba District Municipality, Dr. Musa Ngubane and senior officials of the Department.
Speaking at the launch in Newcastle Labour Centre today, Minister Nxesi told journalists and officials that the Youth Employment Centre would play a significant role to connect work seekers to potential employment opportunities in Amajuba District Municipality, especially the youth. Particularly against the backdrop of high unemployment levels in the country; in which case the young people are grossly affected. He added that the Centre will also assist jobseekers on developing strategies to search and find jobs and preparing for an interview.
“The youth, as the future of this country, are so important and as a Department, we are committed to helping them to access employment opportunities. We are, therefore, urging employers to place their vacancies for free on our Employment Services South Africa (ESSA) online system on www.essa.labour.gov.za so clients can access them,” said Minister Nxesi.
In an effort to reach most clients of the Department, especially those in rural areas, the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has also procured eight mobile buses worth R84 million which Minister Nxesi also officially launched.
The acting UIF Commissioner, Teboho Thejane, told the launch: “The two buses that were launched today have already hit the road, servicing clients in Amajuba District from 19 June 2021 while the remaining six will be delivered before the end of august 2021”.
The buses will be used for the provision of essential services of the Department, particularly in areas without Labour Centres. They are also friendly to people living with disabilities and equipped with technology, audio, kitchenette, work stations, generators, LED screens, air-conditioning, staff and public toilets, fire extinguisher, Wi-Fi, server that will enable the rendering of all Departmental services on “wheels”.
Minister Nxesi and the Acting UIF Commissioner also divulged that the Fund’s Labour Activation Programme (LAP) – which is aimed at re-integrating the unemployed into the labour market – would continue conducting training programmes to create jobs.
They stressed that training providers who submit proposals to the Department must commit to securing job opportunities for the learners before the training programme starts.
Minister Nxesi and Mayor Ngubane also visited eMadadeni Community Hall to assess progress made in the Covid-19 vaccination process around Amajuba District Municipality.
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