Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi launched the Gauteng Human Resource Development Council on Tuesday, 28 July at the University of South Africa (Unisa).
According to Lesufi, the council will help build a skilled workforce, drive economic growth and create more employment opportunities for young people across the province. He added that it also aims to equip workers with the necessary skills for a rapidly advancing job market.
The Premier explained that the council will bring together government, business, labour and academia to ensure education and skills development respond to the needs of Gauteng’s economy.
The council will also oversee the implementation of the Gauteng Master Skills Plan Three aimed at addressing skills shortages and reducing unemployment.
“We are now strengthening what we call the Nurses Funding Programme which is designed to attract people from marginalised township communities. Phase One targeted young people in townships, informal settlements and hostels, showing them the opportunities available for training, receiving a stipend and participating in Public Works youth programmes.”
“Our focus is now on universities and higher education institutions because those are the future skills we need. We don’t want people to qualify only to be left without opportunities. We want them to qualify and be able to get jobs,” he said.
