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The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has launched a “district model” unemployment database targeting youth, professionals and artisans across the country.
The database will be used to capture and store information on these groups of unemployed in order to find out the country’s available capacity to execute infrastructure projects in specific areas, the department said.
“The district model was launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2019 with the goal of accelerating, aligning and integrating service delivery under a single development plan.
“This will be by district or metro that is jointly developed by the national, provincial and local government, as well as by companies, workers and the community in each district.”
The DPWI said its database of unemployed is aimed at supporting the government’s infrastructure priorities for economic growth beyond Covid-19.
The database will be used in different projects prioritizing the registered people available in that district where the project is being implemented. Preference will be given to women of all races, she said.
During the active stages of strategic infrastructure projects, recruits from the database will also gain on-the-job training opportunities, DPWI said. These include:
- On-the-job-integrated learning program for TVET undergraduates and University of Technology students who require experiential training to obtain their degree;
- Graduate internships to expose graduates to work experience to strengthen employment opportunities;
- Commercial certificate for construction trades and candidacy programs for the professional registration of the built environment;
- Water-related environmental science and planners with relevant statutory councils.
Registration in the database is online at the DPWI website and it will be continuous with no closing date. The new portal was not active at the time of this writing.
Infrastructure unit
In July, the presidency designated the country’s priority infrastructure projects, paving the way for the start of private investment in a R2.3 trillion program over the next decade.
The Council of the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission issued a list of projects ranging from key water supply and irrigation developments to power plans, roads, housing and fish farming.
While most of the infrastructure has been state-funded to date, the country is now in debt and the coronavirus outbreak has limited the amount of money available for investment.
The government is now seeking funds from development finance institutions, multilateral institutions, and private pension funds.
The announcement is a first step in launching the campaign, announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa last month. In total, 276 projects have been earmarked for possible investments.
Presenting the plans, Public Works Minister Patrica De Lille said that infrastructure-driven economic growth is the most effective and significant part of the government’s economic growth strategy to grow our economy and at the same time, respond to the socioeconomic needs of our people.
“The severe economic recession, coupled with the Covid-19 pandemic, has given us additional urgency to navigate a new normal,” De Lille said.
“In this new normal, there is an even greater need to partner in the investment and implementation of infrastructure that will facilitate social and economic growth in a viable and purposeful way.
“In South Africa, investment in infrastructure, coupled with the use of public land and public buildings, is a critical lever for achieving spatial and economic justice by connecting our people, integrating our communities and bringing people closer to job opportunities. “.
Read: 50 Major Projects Planned for South Africa Including a New Mega City and Space Center
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