Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour, Boitumelo Moloi, unveiled a new Employment Centre in De Aar, a significant railway junction and wool production hub in the Northern Cape, aimed at helping job seekers and promoting entrepreneurship in the community.
Department of Employment and Labour’s Public Employment Services Initiative
The De Aar Employment Centre is part of the Department of Employment and Labour’s Public Employment Services (PES) initiative to create facilities that support job seekers. The centre offers various services, including job search assistance, CV compilation, career counseling, access to a career advice portal, and other tools to help individuals, particularly young people, secure job opportunities.
One-Stop Shop
The Employment Centre is designed to provide a one-stop shop for all departmental services, including support for job placement, learning opportunities, and self-employment. The centre will extend its services to neighboring towns and areas as part of a district development model aiming to integrate service provision.
Encouragement to Venture Beyond Employment
During the opening of the centre, Moloi encouraged the people of De Aar to develop skills that could turn them into employers, rather than just seeking employment. She also emphasized the importance of maintaining the facility for future use.
Self-Help Kiosks
The Employment Centre features self-help kiosks providing access to online applications and services from the Department of Employment and Labour and supporting partners’ platforms. The centre also includes a flat-screen TV displaying available services and opportunities on the Employment Services of South Africa (ESSA) job matchmaking platform and a designated assessment area for career counselors.
Collaborations with Other Government Departments
The newly opened centre collaborates with other government departments, the Sector Education & Training Authorities (SETAs), and local municipalities in the province. The centre also hosts National Careers Week and Fairs and will shift its focus to Kuruman, Northern Cape Province, on May 25-26, 2023.
Commitment from Other Institutions
Organizations such as SETAs and the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) have expressed their commitment to working closely with the Department to provide support. The NYDA’s representative, Buhle Ntsenge, stated that the agency is ready to occupy space within the Employment Centre and assist in the Department’s efforts.
Plans for More Employment Centres
Sam Morotoba, Deputy Director-General of the Department’s PES program, highlighted plans to establish more Employment Centres, particularly in areas with high unemployment rates. Morotoba also encouraged young people to explore opportunities beyond their localities and consider the possibilities available in distant locations.
Addressing Youth Unemployment in the Northern Cape
The Northern Cape’s population exceeds 1.3 million, and De Aar is part of the Emthanjeni Local Municipality. The province suffers from one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the country, with 54.5% of the youth aged 15-34 years in De Aar facing unemployment in the first quarter of 2023, according to data from Stats SA Quarterly Labour Force Survey. The lack of skills and training, limited access to resources and opportunities, and a shortage of jobs are cited as major contributing factors to the region’s unemployment rates.
By opening the De Aar Employment Centre, the Department of Employment and Labour aims to address these challenges and provide valuable resources to support the community in their pursuit of employment and entrepreneurship. The centre’s establishment and collaboration with other institutions demonstrate the Department’s commitment to creating opportunities for job seekers and promoting entrepreneurship in the Northern Cape.
