The Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Mbali Hlophe, launched the state-of-the-art Trade Test Centre in Bapsfontein on June 8 as part of the department’s mission to improve the lives of the youth.
The Xilembeni Centre of Excellence will equip unemployed youth, including those from rehab centres, homeless people and ex-offenders, with technical skills such as electrical, welding and plumbing trades.
According to Hlophe, since last year, the department has made funds available to support the establishment of the Trade Test Centre, which will prepare and test learners to qualify as artisans.
The department also handed over new tools and equipment to five co-operatives specialising in poultry farming, welding, electrical, plumbing and carpentry.
The unveiling of the centre was part of the department’s extension following the launch of the centre in 2017 by the late Thuliswa Nkabinde-Khawe, the former MEC for Social Development.
Speaking at the event, Hlophe said the department aimed to create job opportunities for young people to enable them to be economically active.
“Many young people are hopeless. That is the worst state any country can be in. Whilst we celebrate freedom and democracy, we strive to ensure it is translated into economic freedom.”
Hlophe said that Gauteng’s abandoned buildings, used as hideouts for addicts, must be turned into skills facilities.
“We are working with the Department of Infrastructure Development to ensure this comes to life so that when talking about development, skills development must be at the centre of it,” she said.
According to the founder and director of Xilembeni Projects, Sonto Zitha, the centre, which offers trades such as construction, engineering, garment making and poultry farming, is accredited with SETA and was established in 2017.
“Today, we are happy our learners who have done their skills programmes, learnerships and 18 months’ workplace learning can return and get their master’s trade certificates. The department supported us so much,” she said.
One of the beneficiaries, Ndimphiwe Mbhtyoti, a recovering drug addict, said his life had improved since he joined the skills training programme after completing his treatment at Witpoort Treatment Centre.
He said he believes his acquired skills will open up job opportunities for him.
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