By Ntokozo Nkambule
A number of companies in the country have expressed a keen interest in hosting graduates who have applied for the Eswatini Youth Empowerment programme (EYEP).
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has revealed that more than 100 companies have registered for the programme.
“The Eswatini Private sector continued registration as host companies for graduates and thus far, the EYEP has received registration from over 100 companies or host organizations showing interest in giving young people opportunities,” expressed UNDP Eswatini Resident Representative Ms Rose Ssebatindira.
The Resident Representative disclosed this during a media briefing where the donor agency signed an MoU with CONCO Limited in Matsapha.
The EYEP is a government-endorsed Programme which will provide Graduate Placement and Artisanal Skills livelihood Development and is facilitated by UNDP.
She said the programme is working towards the deployment of graduates, and the deployment precedes the rigorous exercise of verification, induction and onboarding of applicants, a process being given meticulous attention.
In addition, Ssebatindira averred that as much as applications for graduates are closed, the call is still open to host organizations.
“We need more organizations to sign up so that we are able to give more graduates an opportunity to get skills.”
Furthermore, the Resident Representative revealed that over 2 800 graduates have applied to the programme. She noted that the Manzini region had the highest number of graduate applicants, as 41.12 came from that region and the lowest was Lubombo region at 11%.
UNDP notes that 133 graduates have already been matched to 30 companies.
Interestingly, female youth constitutes about 58% of total graduate applications. The majority of applicants are from Agricultural Studies i.e. Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics Agribusiness Management, Bachelor of Science in Agronomy, among others.
She concluded by stating that on the artisan’s part of the programme over 400 youth have expressed interest in the town of Ezulwini.
“Ninety (90) have been selected for the six courses which are bricklaying, welding, upholstery, sewing, electrical and plumbing. It is important also to clarify that the minimum requirement for applicants for the artisan’s part of the programme is a minimum Grade 7 Certificate, with priority given to high school dropouts,” she noted.
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