HIGHVELD – The National Department of Public Works have adopted Thomas Nhlabathi Secondary School and Kiriyatswane High School in eMbalenhle as part of their ongoing transformation process of the building industry which is aimed at developing and nurturing scarce skills.
The schools’ adoption forms part of the Public Works Schools Programme aimed at capacitating the builing environment skills pipeline intervention and creation of an adequate scarce skills pool of learners to enable them to obtain built environment qualifications at the University.
About 12 best performing learners from the two schools are being mentored and groomed by the department.
If they perform well in matric, they will be awarded full bursaries to pursue careers in building or property studies.
The department held its Ministerial Career Expo on Tuesday, 9 April at Thomas Nhlabathi Secondary School.
The event was attended by learners from various schools in the Gert Sibande District.
The learners listened to presentations by Public Works officials and various stakeholders from institutions of higher learning, Seta’s, private sector and government departments.
Ms Nyeleti Makhubele, Public Works divisional head for Real Estate Management Services, said the purpose of the Expo is to expose and provide career guidance opportunities to grade 11 and 12 pupils.
This will enable them to make informed career choices when they complete their schooling and subsequently enrol for their tertiary education.
She added that the expo will contribute in addressing the chronic shortage of scarce skills in the building industry through the nurturing, mentorship and development of young people to enable them to become fully fledged professionals.
“This also articulates government’s commitment to nurture and empower young people to make well informed decisions.
“It also contributes towards capacitating the national scarce skills’ pool that will ultimately play a role in alleviating poverty and curbing unemployment,” Ms Makhubele said.
Public Works Minister, Mr Thulas Nxesi, did not attend the event.
Learners praised the department for the career expo and said that they had learned a lot.
