Mpumalanga: During the NYS graduation ceremony hosted yesterday at the Lekwa local Municipality Community Hall in Standerton- Mpumalanga, Siphesihle Mkhonza, one of the participants who represented 19 participants, expressed gratitude in a formal manner by stating, “We would like to express our gratitude to the EPWP NYS and BUREWA Trading 84 and Suppliers for providing us with this opportunity.”
The graduation ceremony was directed and opened by EPWP NYS Deputy Director Kurhula Mkansi, who is based in Nelspruit Regional Office.
The jovial event was officiated by the EPWP NYS Director, Lefentse Ratsela. Ratsela congratulated learners for making it this far and continued to encourage them to use such opportunities as they are offered to them.
“You guys managed to get to this point because you were patient, you had a mission and a vision, and I believe that this is not the end of the road for you.” Said Ratsela in her words of support to participants.
The ceremony was attended by officials from DPWI, Gert Sibande TVET College, BUREWA Trading 84 and suppliers, the local municipality, and the NYS participants.
The local municipality representative Zandi Ngadi urged the existing learners to use the skills they gained to look for employment opportunities and apply for businesses so they can contribute to the creation of work opportunities in their communities.
Lungile Zulu, the EPWP NYS manager, presented the exit strategy where she encouraged participants to further their studies, start Businesses and look for employment, while Alex Msibi presented career opportunities that can be considered by participants in furthering their studies in fields such as built environment and construction with the Gert Sibande TVET College.
These learners were recruited from February 2022 until November 2022. They received theoretical and practical training, and they were placed at the construction of Standerton Labour Centre, where they were trained and upskilled in different trades such as bricklaying, plastering, plumbing, painting and tiling.
At the end of the ceremony, the learners were given certificates of training and toolboxes to assist them in starting their own businesses and in looking for economic opportunities in their communities.