ECDOE Launches Fourth Phase of Basic Education Employment Initiative

By Sinovuyo Memani

The Eastern Cape Department of Education this past Friday launched the fourth phase of the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI) in the Chris Hani West district. The programme which is part of the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative has been successfully implemented in the Province for the past four years.

The BEEI aims at reducing unemployment and providing job opportunities for young people around the Province. The initiative has successfully recruited over 28,250 unemployed youth in the Eastern Cape focuses on vulnerable youth including those living with disabilities. The programme prioritizes placements in communities where schools are located in order to ensure that young people are working in their own communities.

The initiative provides the youth with skills that are required in the workplace and therefore enhancing their employability and career prospects. The initiative also supports educators in improving learning outcomes focusing on curriculum support, reading and ICT integration.

Lukhanyo Sidiya who is the BEEI Project Manager in the Province urged the youth to grab every opportunity provided to them by the programme. “We encourage the youth to always be on their toes by getting out of their comfort zones and using every opportunity given to enhance and show their abilities”, said Sidiya.

A beneficiary of the BEEI, Thandele Sokabo is a testament to the success of the initiative said that she was selected to participate in the programme for the second time and gained valuable skills including ECD learnerships, computer skills and reading champion certification. “I am grateful and excited for the opportunity to add more skills to my career” added Sokabo.

According to Sokabo the initiative is making a positive impact on the lives of young people and as such she hopes that as the programme continues to grow and expand, ‘it is likely to have an even greater impact on the lives of young people of the Province’.