JMPD and EMS train young people
SOPHIATOWN – About 144 young residents from seven regions in the City are doing experiential learning at the City’s JMPD and EMS sectors.
Linda Mathebula from Soweto always perceived Emergency Management Services and JMPD as a profession of only firefighters and traffic cops.
It was only when he got an opportunity from the City of Joburg Department of Safety in Sophiatown that he learnt that there are actually more careers to explore within this department.
About 144 young residents from seven regions in Joburg are empowered through this learnership programme.
When Mathebula’s dream of studying a sports management degree fell through because of lack of funds, he never thought that one day he could get an opportunity to empower himself, until November last year.
After two months of theory and 10 months of practical experience, he will now walk home with business administrative certificate which he will use as his entry point to the employment sector.
“I am learning different aspects of this profession. I’ve learnt that there are so many careers in EMS and JMPD. It is not only just about firefighters. There are people who need to respond to emergency calls and others doing administrative work,” he commented.
The City’s Youth Development Manager, Lufuno Maphagela, explained the is programme aimed at giving young people, especially from disadvantaged backgrounds, experiential learning opportunity.
“This is a programme which gives young people a chance to develop work skills and experience so they could be employable,” she said.
She said they place the students in different JMPD and Fire Stations around the City for a period of 10 months. “Most of them respond to calls and help with the administration work,” she further explained.
Maphegela said that at fire stations they (the students) also assist with the Be-Safe programme which educates communities about emergency safety and fire safety at schools.
“Obviously, when we have internal post there are given an opportunity to apply and go through the procedure and if they make it we hire them,” she expanded.
Details: City of Joburg EMS, 011 758 9540.
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