Gauteng Department of Social Development spent over R51 million on unaccredited courses

3 November 2019

The Gauteng Department of Social Development (DSD) has spent R51 115 999.55 million on unaccredited courses in the 2018/19 financial year as part of its Youth Development programme.

This was revealed to me by the Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Nkabinde-Khawe in a written reply to my questions tabled in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL).

According to MEC Nkabinde-Khawe, the department has trained 53780 youth as part of the Youth Development Programme and they have been empowered with life skills and technical training.

Life skills training which the department defines as a ‘soft skill’ and is meant to enhance one’s interpersonal skills such as communication, teamwork and problem solving, is not accredited.

The reasons given by the department on why life skills training is not accredited are; these courses are of short duration and are meant for capacity building and life skills; cost implications; its basic preparation for workplace; basic training and attendance certificates are sufficient for entry level jobs.

It is worrying that the department is spending millions on unaccredited courses, yet our youth lack the essential skills needed in the employment sector.

The youth will benefit more from skills that will increase their employability and enable them to sustain their lives.

It’s high time that the department considers investing more in alleviating scarce skills so that our youth are given a fair chance to access job opportunities in the province.

Issued by Refiloe Nt’sekhe, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Social Development, 3 November 2019