More than 220 interns who have been placed in various departments within the city and private companies with which the municipality has partnered, had the opportunity to interact with their mentors and the companies into which they have been absorbed.
The MMC for Economic Development, Clr Thumbu Mahlangu, opened the floor for an interactive discussion and feedback session between municipal officials, mentors and interns, to hear what the young people’s concerns and challenges are.
One of the issues raised by interns is that organisations do not absorb them and make them full time employees once their term as interns ends.
“The aim of the internship programme is to create a conducive environment for young people to be exposed to the world of work, by giving them the skills they need to be employable,” said the MMC in response to the concerns raised.
He said he will take up their comments with the companies and encourage them to absorb deserving young people when there are available vacancies.
After the interactive session, representatives of companies took the opportunity to present their expectations of young professionals and outlined what their internship programmes entail.
In March, during his State of the City address, the executive mayor, Clr Mondli Gungubele, stated that the city had placed over 4 500 young people in the job readiness and graduate placement programme at a cost of R35-million to the municipality.
