R22m boost for skills training of the unemployed

© Robert Churchill – 123RF.com

The training projects are being undertaken through a partnership agreement between the Dr John Langalibalele Dube Institute (JLDI) and the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), an entity of the Department of Labour.

The UIF, through its Labour Activation Programmes (LAP), has set aside R22 million for beneficiaries – most of which are former contributors to the UIF who lost their jobs - to undergo theoretical and practical leadership in aviation, maritime commercial diving and organic farming.

Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant is expected to unveil the programme at Virginia Airport in Durban North were 50 beneficiaries will undergo an intensive pilot training programme, which includes night rating, commercial pilot license, instrument rating, general radio license and instructors rating.

The maritime commercial diving project in Scottsburgh, south of KwaZulu-Natal, targets 50 beneficiaries to be trained in scuba diving, underwater welding, plumbing, photography and filmmaking, amongst others.

In Emandungeni, at least a 100 rural women will be trained and grouped into a cooperative to plant and grow organic fruit and vegetables.

The main market for their produce are major chain stores.