Graduates set sail
JOBURG – Six graduates who will be starting their careers in the maritime industry were hosted by the City of Johannesburg Mayor Mpho Parks Tau.
The group graduated through the Vulindlel’ eJozi youth programme which is in partnership with Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator. The programme is designed to create entry-level job placement opportunities for the youth of Johannesburg.
Speaking at the event, Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator key account executive Helen Smith said the six youths were trained in the hospitality industry, medical aid and firefighting.
Smith said, “This was a successful pilot project in which the unemployed candidates were taken from the township to an international cruise liner and travelled overseas where they learned hospitality working behaviours and were also involved in a series of accredited training programmes.”
Tau said the objective of the programme was to break down the barriers to various job opportunities for up to 20 000 youth. “These opportunities are not only for job entry-level skills job training and placement, but they extend to online education or smart education, and entrepreneurship skills development,” he said.
In his message to the graduates, Tau said, “You are set to embark on a great adventure in a few day’s time. In your excitement, you also bear a great responsibility to do the best you can. You are candidates who are today demonstrating the value of the Vulindlel’ eJozi programme, and you need to ensure that many others can follow you.”
He added that the youngsters graduated a couple of weeks ago at a ceremony attended by a United States delegation of 25 universities led by US department of commerce assistant secretary, Marcus Jadotte.
One of the excited graduates, Phumlane Mbonane said, “This opportunity came as a surprise to me because I always thought maritime [work] was for people who live next to the ocean. I would like to thank Harambee and Vulindlel’ eJozi and everyone who is involved in the programme.”
