On Tuesday 14 June, 30 incarcerated youths, were given a chance at living a reformed life, when they graduated from the Department of Human Settlements’ Contractor Development Program in Mossel Bay.
This class of graduates consists of 6 females and 24 males, whose ages range between 18 and 35 years old. The 5-day training program was tailor-made for students of similar circumstances.
The program’s content focusses on technical skills, in the built environment. The training will assist in preparing them for a life outside of prison and possibly becoming self-employed.
Provincial Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers said: “as a department we are always looking for innovative ways of encouraging our youth and equipping them with the skillset required to prosper and become self-efficient in the ever-changing built environment sector. This is our contribution towards the rehabilitation of these young lives, who took incorrect decisions in their previous lives, that lead to their incarceration. In an effort to combat the high levels of unemployment, the Western Cape Government facilitates these training opportunities for all youths across the region, with the intention of unlocking future economic and employment opportunities were previously such would not exist.”
For this technical training program, the department partnered with National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC), South African Revenue Services (SARS), The Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) and the Master Builders Association. 10 of the 30 youths are set to be released on probation during the month of July 2022, and the remaining 20 are set to be released within the next 6 months.
Between the financial year 2019/2020 and 2021/2022, 396 students graduated from the skills and development training programs facilitated by the department, in partnership with the accredited TVET colleges and private sector.
“As we commemorate Youth month, I would like to encourage young people out there to go out and seek opportunities. These will not only provide them with skills to earn a living for today but also provide limitless future employment opportunities” Concluded Simmers.
