KNYSNA NEWS - Since moving the youth function to the office of the mayor, Knysna mayor Eleanore Bouw-Spies has launched a number of successful initiatives aimed at upskilling Greater Knysna youth.
One of these initiative, the Agriculture Learnership programme that is being offered in conjunction with the Vineyard Christian Church, has already yielded great results.
The most recent career and opportunities roadshow programme was offered to schools within Greater Knysna. Accompanied by mayoral committee members and youth desk staff, Bouw-Spies visited Knysna Secondary School to inform Grade 11 and 12 learners about learnership opportunities and bursary schemes offered by the municipality.
'Closing the gap'
“As a council we recognise the challenges our communities face on a daily basis. Very often unemployment is a result of our youth not having the necessary skills required by the employers. We have made a concerted effort towards closing this gap and helping to build a growing economy through skills training," said Bouw-Spies.
“We are well aware that education can transform lives and create the foundation for a brighter future for our youth. However, financial constraints can make it difficult for these young residents to access higher education.
"The Mayoral Bursary Fund and Municipal Bursary programmes provide some relief and enable deserving and qualifying individuals access to further their education and training.”
Concordia High School learners listened attentively to the youth desk presentation on various opportunities the Knysna Municipality has to offer. Photos: Supplied
'Search for opportunities'
Bouw-Spies encouraged learners to immediately start searching for opportunities available to them.
“Do not wait until the last minute when you get your final academic results. Bursary and tertiary applications must be made well in advance, and make sure that you know all the requirements necessary so that you can work towards attaining the results necessary.”
The youth desk and municipality’s human resources (HR) department visited Concordia High School on Monday 19 March and will continues with their Schools Roadshow visiting Greater Knysna schools during the next semester.
Full-time bursaries
The HR department offers various full-time bursaries in specific fields to qualifying applicants. Once recipients of these bursaries have completed their studies they are placed within the relevant department that is in line with their field of study.
Additionally, the municipality also offers internship programmes, which give graduates the opportunity to gain much-needed experience for future growth.
The mayoral office annually hosts a fundraising event for the Mayor’s Bursary Assistance & Social Relief Fund. The funding allocation for this assistance is dependent on the amount raised. The youth desk further offers learnership programmes where young residents are placed within various departments, enabling them to acquire relevant skills experience.
Knysna mayor Eleanore Bouw-Spies informing Knsyna Secondary School learners about the Mayoral Bursary Assistance & Social Relief Fund.
Want to know more?
For more details on the above programmes please visit the various youth centres, details of which can be found the municipal website.
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