Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 03-10-2019
It is estimated that in just over 10 years, approximately 71% of the South African population will be urbanised – a substantial leap from the 63% documented in 2016.
With the pace at which people are relocating to major centres, proper planning and vision will be required to transition infrastructure, resources and services to cope with the influx.
Jake Willis, CEO of Lulaway, a social enterprise focused on youth employment solutions, says that people are travelling to metropolitan areas to pursue employment and hopefully success and wealth. For many this remains a dream, as establishing themselves in a new environment can be very challenging.
“Sadly, the dream is derailed very quickly as securing employment and housing is not always as easy as one would think.”
Willis says that the move to urban centres for the majority of South Africans can be successful with the proper support from both public and private sectors.
He says that it’s this reality that led Lulaway to partner with the Transport Education Training Authority (TETA) in a labour activation programme.
As part of the project Lulaway will be recruiting 120 individuals from the Free State, North West and Kwa-Zulu Natal to participate in a training and experiential work programme.
“It’s the critical understanding of the challenges that these people face when arriving in South Africa’s big cities that drove us to get this partnership up and running. We’re aiming to not only provide employment but also support their housing requirements and assist in getting them settled, increasing their chance of success in retaining employment in the long-term.”
Candidates selected to take part in the programme will be allocated safe, comfortable and convenient accommodation, so that they are easily and affordably able to commute to their respective places of work.
Accommodation will be provided by Afhco, the leading provider of affordable housing and retail spaces in Johannesburg inner-city, at a subsidised rate. They will be given a 12-month working contract whereby they will learn business administration skills in a sector with actual employment demands, that intends to secure them employment after the contract period.
0 Comments