Chris Hani to launch artisan programme aimed at tackling youth unemployment

The Chris Hani District Municipality will officially launch its Artisan Development Programme in Komani on Thursday as part of efforts to equip young people with technical skills and improve employment opportunities across the district.

The programme, coordinated through the Chris Hani Development Agency (CHDA), is being implemented in partnership with BCE Institute and the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).

The launch will take place at the Thobi-Kula Indoor Sports Centre from 10am and is expected to bring together representatives from the Office of the Minister of Employment and Labour, Eastern Cape MECs, beneficiaries and members of the public.

According to the municipality, the initiative forms part of a broader collaboration aimed at rebuilding the district’s economy and addressing unemployment through skills development.

As part of the event, the CHDA, Buffalo City College, Buffalo City Development Agency and Ikhala TVET College will sign a collaboration framework focusing on artisan development, workplace placement, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and workshop accreditation.

The municipality said empowering young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, with artisan skills is essential to transforming the district’s socio-economic landscape.

It said technical and vocational training offers practical pathways into employment for many young people facing financial hardship, limited educational opportunities and high unemployment.

The initiative also supports the National Development Plan’s target of producing 30,000 qualified artisans annually by 2030 to strengthen infrastructure delivery, create jobs and reduce poverty.

The Artisan Development Programme forms part of the municipality’s broader Labour Activation Programme through Food Aggregation, which includes a total of 3,600 beneficiaries. These comprise 710 artisan trainees, 1,600 participants in skills programmes and 1,630 learnership beneficiaries.