MARSHARPS College opened in Kranskop last year with the undertaking it would link its pupils with industry or potential employers.
People living in rural face many challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, lack of facilities, learning and employment opportunities. This undertaking was agreed to on 24 April when about 30 pupils visited the UCL Company (Pty) in Dalton.
UCL produces a variety of products which are exported around the world, including sugar production, saw milling and extract production for leather tanning and adhesive applications.
At UCL pupils were issued with helmets and other safety items and for the first time were exposed to agricultural technology, mechanisation, industrial engineering, advanced warehousing and production processes.
They then realised there is a big variety of careers other than nursing, teaching, law enforcement or any popular occupations. Of particular interest to the pupils was the role played by women at UCL as the majority of Masharps College students are women.
Marsharps College managing director Dr Moses Khanyile said the unemployment rate in Umvoti is higher than the national average of 24,3%, and such interaction between training institutions and the industry help to restore hope among the youth and women.
However, the key challenge remained the need to acquire relevant skills, especially computer skills, to become participants in the local and national marketplace.
Khanyile stated that “women are particularly vulnerable as they are not absorbed in the labour market at the same rate as men. It is therefore crucial that there is strong interaction between the local training institutions in supplying skilled labour, while local businesses should seek to employ local youth and women. Government should support prospective job seekers in terms of access to information, skills development and providing a link with potential employer.”
