Youth fired up for job creation
The Working on Fire programme claims to be the most successful Expanded Public Works Programme
CREATING tangible development opportunities for the youth, the Working on Fire (WoF) programme has, in the 16 years since its inception, provided employment for 5 000 youngsters.
Of this number, 30% of the WoF workforce is female, which is among the highest levels of gender representation of any comparable fire service in the world.
In 2003 when WoF was established as part of the Department of Environmental Affairs’ Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), there were 850 firefighters in its employ.
The significant increase in its staff complement makes WoF the most successful EPWP programme, providing not only work opportunities, but also skills training and personal development for the youth.
Reaching out to the disadvantaged, WoF firefighters are recruited from marginalised communities and trained in fire awareness, fire education, fire prevention and fire suppression skills.
Through its developmental programmes, WoF has provided job opportunities for some 15 000 young men and women, with 85% of the beneficiaries in the 18-35 age group.
The programme also provides for management opportunities, with close to 200 of the current salaried WoF management staff being former firefighters.
Additionally, a large number of firefighters who have passed through the WoF programme have gone on to serve in other state entities including the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), road traffic management and SAPS, while others have become environmental officers and field rangers in game reserves.
These opportunities are made possible through WoF developmental projects which include preparing participants for interviews, CV writing skills, general writing skills and personal interventions.
In light of the most recent unemployment figures released by Stats SA, government focus is on creating job opportunities for young men and women.
WoF will also offer other soft skill development opportunities, including public speaking, report writing, project management and financial literacy.
Through the WoF programme, these men and women gain work experience and skills required for jobs in the broader market or rise in the ranks of managing the WOF programme.
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