Govt introduces �meal allowance� programme for unemployed graduates

Baboki Kayawe | Wednesday April 8, 2015 10:05

 

A statement from the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture (MYSC) noted that participants of this programme would receive a meal allowance of P600 per month.

According to the communication, the scheme caters for unemployed youth graduates, as well as those not enrolled in the National Internship Programme (NIP). 

“The Graduate Volunteer Scheme is being introduced to attach young graduates in organisations that have opportunities for volunteer work.

The initiative according to government is intended to facilitate skills development and transfer to young graduates, contribute to community development promote the spirit of volunteerism improve resilience of the graduate youth, and reduce idleness,” reads a statement from MYSC.

Participants, of this latest addition to graduate unemployment initiatives, are expected to gather employment readiness skills.

“Participants will not only contribute to community development initiatives but they will also improve their employment readiness through on the job training and experience.

Generally, participants will be enrolled where they have accommodation but it is possible for participants to stay with host families, particularly in the rural areas,” reads the communication.

The programme places emphasis on rural district deployment, as there is need for service in these areas. This is apparently intended to improve service delivery in rural areas by engaging young people in extension work.

The MYSC statement noted that participants would be placed in government and public service institutions.

“Priority will be given to those in the NIP waiting list, though the scheme is open to unemployed degree holders, particularly graduates not enrolled in other schemes such as NIP and Tirelo Sechaba, as well as those who have gone through two years of the National Internship, but are willing to continue as volunteers under the new scheme,” the statement added.

At a recent NIP stakeholder consultative meeting held in Gaborone recently, attendees heard that the programme has offered 10, 000 graduates work opportunities nationwide, across all sectors of the economy.

MYSC deputy permanent secretary, Kgopolo Ramoroka said by the end of January 4, 912 interns were placed within the public, private and parastatal sectors. He noted that there are currently 5, 764 on the waiting list, majority of whom are ICT graduates. Ramoroka added that government spends P92 million annually on the programme.