Two hundred youth to benefit from the Labour Activation Program (LAP) projects in the North West Province

Two hundred youth from different areas within the Rustenburg Local Municipality in the North West Province have been enrolled in different training projects within the Hospitality sector. These trainings are part of the Department of Employment and Labour’s Labour Activation Programme (LAP).

LAP is a programme within the Department and is funded by the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF). The purpose of the programme is to skill and up-skill the unemployed youth and unemployed UIF beneficiaries in order to gain access into the labour market, and to establish their own businesses.

With this project, leaners will be trained to become Assistant Chefs, Baristas, Fast Foods Cookers, Convenience Food Cooker and Table Attendant. These trainings are offered through theoretical training and practical work; and the curricular has among others, business studies and field specific disciplines.

According to the Deputy Director: LAP in the province, Jeffrey Zitha, it is envisaged that at the end of these projects, participants would be able to be integrated into the world of work and also be able to open their own businesses, thus reducing unemployment and also empowering those around them.

“The aim of these trainings is to ensure that youth and work seekers are equipped with the necessary skills that are needed to close the skills gap and to enable the unemployed youth and unemployed UIF beneficiaries to meet the requirements of the labour market,” Zitha said.

He said as much as they will assist in making sure that they are placed in work places at the end of the programme they encourage them to also look into starting their businesses.

“With the current economic meltdown, the Department seeks to encourage the youth and work seekers to look into other opportunities that can create employment for themselves and those around them,” he concluded.

The training initiatives commenced on Tuesday, the 31st May and are expected to run over a period of three months for Baristas, Fast Food and Convenient Food Cookers while the Chef Assistant and Table Attendant will run for 10 months. Upon completion, Baristas, Fast Food and Convenient Food cookers will receive NQF level 2 certificate while Chef Assistant and Table Attendant will receive NQF level 4 certificates from accredited service provider.

Source: Government of South Africa