EXXARO BELFAST COAL EMPOWERS UNEMPLOYED GRADUATES WITH JOB HUNTING SKILLS

BY STAFF REPORTER
Exxaro’s Belfast Coal mine has created a platform to empower unemployed graduates with skills to help place them on job markets.
According to the Quarterly Labour Force Sirvey of the first quarter of 2021, 46,3 percent of young people aged 15 – 34 years are unemployed.
The mine held a two day training programme for 12 unemployed graduates from Emakhazeni communities, Siyathuthuka, Machadosdorp and Watervaalboven.
The training workshop was held at Belfast Enterprise Development Centre (BEDC) last week.
The programme focused on essential job hunting skills such as drawing up a professional CV, writting a convincing cover letter, preparing, planning and researching for interviews.
One of the beneficiaries of the programme, Bongani Mashinini, coordinator of Emakhazeni unemployed graduates described the training as an eye opener. “The programme has prepared our graduates to be aligned with what employers want out there,” he said.
“We will profile all graduates from Emakhazeni and also look at the skills tha are in demand,” he said.
According to experts job hunting can be a daunting task for young inexperienced graduates. Beside factors such as economic and political climate, lack of job hunting skills is listed amongst factors contributing to the unemployment debacle.
Recruitment personnel, Estelle Nagel for someone who is unemployed, finding a job is just their job.
Sifiso Khumalo from Belfast coal said having the right qualifications does not necessarily guarantee one a job.
“Exxaro has contributed R45000 towards this programme. The aim is to empower the graduates with necessary skills needed for job hunting,” Khumalo said.