Plan afoot to improve unemployment
As regards unemployment, the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) tabled a report before council in its first ordinary sitting on Janaury 29.
Unemployment and SMME development are among some of the key pillars identified by the Ekurhuleni Council through its Growth and Development Strategy of 2055.
This is part of the council’s plan to revitalise economic development.
As regards unemployment, the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) tabled a report before council in its first ordinary sitting on Janaury 29.
The EMM said there were attempts to invest in short term employment solutions, with the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).
However, the EMM said other ways of creating sustainable employment will be considered.
Council said it will have to balance the intake of service sector development in the EMM, which is not necessarily good for jobs, but for economic growth.
The council further said that the disconnect between skills development and the jobs required by the market slows down employment.
“In making the necessary strides in skills development, the national government established Skills, Education and Training Authorities (SETA) to undertake this project. But the lack of effectiveness during the implementation of this initiative has raised the need for industry-led skills development approaches,” said the EMM.
The council said it has made strides, including the establishment of tender advice centres and co-operatives.
“Underpinning these mechanisms has been a massive reliance on the preferential Procurement Policy Framework and BEE frameworks,” said the council in its report.
