SANRAL creates youth employment opportunities in Malmesbury

The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) has teamed up with its construction partners, Aecom, Stefanutti Stocks and Power Construction, to address the growing youth unemployment crisis in Malmesbury by creating and funding a youth learnership programme alongside the N7 construction in the area, at a cost of R1.4 million.

A certificate handover ceremony was held in the Malmesbury Town Hall last week, where 22 learners received certificates for completing NQF Level 3 and NQF Level 4 (10 learners) training in various construction disciplines.

The journey began in March 2016, when 24 learners out of a group of 60 applicants commenced their construction learnership programme in Malmesbury. Twelve students chose to focus on roadworks, while the other half chose concrete as their area of specialty.

"This is a tangible example of how a public-private partnership between SANRAL and our construction partners can help to not only transform our national road network by maintaining world-class standards, but also assist our various communities along the route with the provision of work and training opportunities that will put them on a developmental pathway out of poverty," said Heidi Harper, SANRAL Corporate Services Executive.

One of learners, Siyanda Mayonga, who completed both NQF3 and NQF4 training, was given an opportunity to share some of the group's experience with the audience, and was full of praise for the quality of the programme, the practical skills and theoretic knowledge they acquired and the fact that all learners received a salary for the duration of their training - an element he said made a huge difference to their families.

"We are very grateful to SANRAL for their commitment to our community and are pleased that the group includes seven females, which is definitely a step in the right direction as our country should strive to expand more opportunities for girls in engineering and science fields previously considered suitable only for males," said Maude Goliath, Deputy Mayor of Swartland Municipality, who delivered the keynote address at the certificate handover ceremony.

Fifteen of the 22 learners remain in employment, as a result of having successfully completed their training. Some of them are already engaged in further training and development and are indeed an inspiration to many other young people in the community, clearly demonstrating that commitment and determination we can create legacies that will continue to change lives for generations to come.

SANRAL remains committed to finding opportunities alongside our construction projects, where we can positively impact the lives of our citizens, beyond merely building roads.