12/06/2026
[INFOGRAPHICS] Over four thousand young people, women and people with disabilities across the North West are expected to benefit from a three-year programme which will harness their skills to enter the job market. This follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Premier Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi and Mr Oupa Nkoana of Construction SETA in Mahikeng.
This initiative forms part of the province’s ongoing efforts to tackle unemployment in the province. It will be confined within the built environment sector to assist the province address unemployment through skills development in architecture, civil engineering, town planning, quantity surveying and construction management among others.
Through the creation of strategic partnerships with various stakeholders in the skills development sector the province seeks to empower the most vulnerable stratums in the province to participate meaningfully in the economy.
Premier Mokgosi says the provincial government has identified the construction sector to drive the provincial economy and create jobs as averred in the Growth and Development Strategy.
“As the Provincial Government, we are deeply concerned by the high levels of unemployment affecting our communities. Women and youth often encounter limited access to economic opportunities, while persons with disabilities remain underrepresented in skills development and employment programmes. This Memorandum of Understanding demonstrates our shared commitment to changing this reality” said Premier Mokgosi.
Premier Mokgosi maintains the MoU seeks to expand access to accredited skills development programmes within the construction and built environment sector by increasing participation of youth, women, and persons with disabilities in learnerships, apprenticeships, internships, and artisan development programmes.
“We appreciate Construction SETA for recognizing the potential of our province and for partnering with us in advancing skills development initiatives that will improve the lives of our people" maintained Premier Mokgosi.
This is a sentiment shared by the Administration of Construction SETA, Oupa Nkoana.
"This collaboration aligns with the priorities of government to build a capable workforce, stimulate economic growth, reduce poverty, and promote social inclusion” Nkoana said.
As the province forges ahead with this initiative Premier Mokgosi has implored government departments, municipalities, industry partners, training providers, and community organisations to work together to ensure that the intended beneficiaries are reached and supported.