Helping the youth to escape the poverty cycle
The project involves taking welfare recipients to the work environment provided by a host of NGOs.
Eight young mothers from Boksburg, who were part of the Welfare to Work (W2W) programme run by the Department of Social Development, graduated in Randburg on April 17.
The W2W programme aims to either help youth who are on welfare to find permanent lucrative employment or providefurther education opportunities for them.
The graduation, hosted under the theme Breaking the Welfare Cycle, was held in partnership with Godisang Youth Development and other external training providers.
The Boksburg graduates and other beneficiaries from across Gauteng received accredited certificates for various skills, including hospitality, real estate, photography, beauty therapy and hairdressing.
Social Development MEC Nandi Mayathula-Khoza said the Gauteng government is committed to building sustainable communities that are self-sufficient.
“One of the best ways we achieve this is by investing in the skills of the many young women who are trapped in the cycle of poverty.
“We will be expanding the programme to reach more than 12 000 beneficiaries by 2019.
“With our partners, we will recognise all those who have completed the course and have acquired the skills as they look forward to entering the job market,” Mayathula-Khoza said.
She said over 4 000 young women dependent on a child support grant have benefitted from the W2W programme to date.
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