Public enterprises minister Lynne Brown says young South Africans need to pursue studies in maths and science to attain the skills required by some of the country's state-owned companies (SOCs).
To commemorate youth month, South African government officials are visiting schools across the country to encourage youth participation in ICT. This week, Brown visited Mokgalwana village in the North West.
"The message is simple: study maths and science. Our SOCs need young people with those skills," she says.
According to her, the country's SOCs are in need of pilots, engineers, accountants and lawyers, among others.
"Last year, the six SOCs in the public enterprises portfolio (Eskom, Transnet, Denel, SA Express, SAFCOL and Alexkor) collectively enrolled nearly 9 000 trainees in various critical skills programmes. Additionally, nearly 1 800 learners received bursaries for the current financial year."
As part of the visit to the North West, Brown also handed over a multipurpose community centre.
The centre has a computer room, sewing room, four tribal offices and a community hall to be used by the surrounding communities.
The minister described the handover as a significant step towards addressing skills shortages, lack of development, and economic exclusion experienced by most young people in that area.
Share