Durban ICC invests in the youth of South Africa
Unlocking future job opportunities for the youth of South Africa and the impact of the fourth industrial revolution on business will be high on the agenda during this year’s eThekwini Youth Employability Indaba and KwaZulu-Natal Career Expo.
The event, which will be held from 23-26 May 2019 at the Durban Exhibition Centre, is a collaboration between the Durban International Convention Centre (Durban ICC), eThekwini Municipality and Independent Media.
During the media launch held at the Durban ICC on 19 March, eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede said the Municipality was training 200 unemployed youth through the Artisan Development Programme.
Gumede said the programme would run for over three years in plumbing and electrical disciplines.
“This opportunity is part of the Artisan Development Programme which was approved by council in 2016. We are planning to train 10000 artisans in various trades,” added Gumede.
Durban ICC Chief Executive Officer Lindiwe Rakharebe said it was important for young people to develop practical and relevant business acumen that will fill specific gaps in the labour market.
Rakharebe also said opportunities were endless for people living with disabilities.
“Investing in the youth and paying particular attention to their skills development is crucial to the country’s future economic growth. However, to achieve proper inclusive growth, people with disabilities should also be equipped with skills and given an opportunity in order for them to make a meaningful contribution to the country’s economy,” she said.
Zoubair Ayoob from Independent Media said computer science and coding classes should be made compulsory in the country’s curriculum from primary school to matric.
Ayoob said such initiatives were already in place in first world countries such as the United States of America and Europe.
He said that according to experts, South Africa was poised to become the technology gateway to Africa, but only if special attention was given to subjects such as Information Technology.
For this year’s programme, specific focus will be shifted to the downtrodden youth in line with the 2019 theme for the Youth Employability Indaba and KZN Career Expo which is: “Repositioning Youth for Inclusive Growth.”
This event is free of charge and presents a one-stop-shop of resources to empower youth, tertiary students, aspiring young entrepreneurs and Grade 11 and 12 pupils. Live science demonstrations are also on the programme in line with the curriculum needs of Grade 11 and 12 pupils.
Other topics that will be covered during the Youth Employability Indaba include a focus on “People with disabilities and employability”, the “Fourth Industrial Revolution and employability” as well as “Inclusive growth”.
-ENDS
Issued by: The Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (Durban ICC)
For more information contact: Durban ICC Corporate Affairs Manager Gugu Sisilana, 031 360 1302 or Gugusisilana@icc.co.za