The City of Cape Town has partnered with the National Business Initiative (NBI) on an artisan skills development programme that was launched yesterday, 18 March, 2024.
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The NBI is a ‘voluntary coalition of South African and multinational companies’ that works towards sustainable growth and development in South Africa, as well as ‘the shaping of a sustainable future’ through responsible business action.
Thirty-one learners from NBI were selected for the programme.
Learners with theoretical knowledge in installation, repairs, maintenance and welding were placed within the City’s Facilities Management depots in Milnerton, Philippi, Bellville, Somerset West and at the Cape Town Civic Centre. Their contracts will be in effect from 1 February 2024 to 30 June 2026.
‘Partnerships such as this one with NBI works perfectly as they are able to provide the City with the most suitable leaners who have the theoretical foundation required and then the City is able to, in turn, provide them with an opportunity to complete the practical element of their learning with our experienced Facilities Management team, which is the most ideal department to facilitate a maintenance skills programme such as this,’ said Alderman Theresa Uys, the City’s mayoral committee member for corporate services.
One of the aims of the partnership is to address the high youth unemployment rate in South Africa. ‘With programmes such as these, we aim to break down barriers to economic inclusion in our city,’ said Uys.
‘Our hope is that these learners will grow and develop their skills as artisans in order to secure future employment in this field, and possibly at the City one day.’
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