R95.9 Million Project to Train 1,020 KwaZulu-Natal Youth in Job-Ready Skills
PIETERMARITZBURG — A R95.9 million skills development project will train 1,020 young people in KwaZulu-Natal in aircraft maintenance engineering and wheel balancing, with the aim of improving employment prospects and encouraging entrepreneurship. Through the National Skills Fund, the Department of Higher Education and Training has approved funding over 43 months for the project, implemented by Fuze Business Initiative.
Launched at Obiri Airport in Pietermaritzburg this week, the programme comprises 20 apprentices undertaking a three-year aircraft maintenance engineering programme in uMgungundlovu and 1,000 learners pursuing a National Qualifications Framework Level 3 wheel balancer qualification — 300 in Newcastle, 200 in Mooi River and 500 in Mpumza, Pietermaritzburg. Recruited learners began training in August and receive monthly stipends, toolkits and protective equipment.
Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister Nomusa Dube-Ncube said the project is designed not only to prepare young people for employment, but also to support enterprise development, with its budget making provision for the registration of cooperatives. The department is targeting more than 520,000 TVET college enrolments for the 2026/27 financial year. (Source: SAnews, the South African Government News Agency)
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 南非夸祖鲁-纳塔尔省青年技能培训项目启动活动。图源：南非政府新闻署（SAnews） | Launch of the KwaZulu-Natal youth skills development project. Image: SAnews
