Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu has met with representatives of the Mpumalanga Unemployed Youth Graduates structure as government intensifies efforts to tackle youth unemployment and improve the transition from education into the workplace.
The meeting, held at the Premier’s Office, was attended by Members of the Executive Council (EXCO) and Director-General Ms Maggie Skosana.
Leading the TUT delegation, Campus Rector Dr Ndiadivha Tempia presented the university’s proposal under the theme “From Qualification to Opportunity”. The initiative seeks to move beyond providing qualifications by ensuring that graduates gain practical skills, workplace exposure and opportunities that can improve their employability.
The proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) includes Work Integrated Learning and job-shadowing opportunities for students within provincial departments, municipalities and public entities. It also proposes short learning programmes and Recognition of Prior Learning opportunities for government officials, support for youth entrepreneurship and joint applied research to strengthen evidence-based policymaking.
TUT Mbombela Campus currently has approximately 3 000 students across three faculties and offers 23 qualifications, with about 200 students placed annually for Work Integrated Learning.
Premier Ndlovu welcomed the proposed partnership but stressed that it must result in practical and measurable opportunities for young people.
He expressed concern over the high rate of graduate unemployment in the province, saying his earlier engagement with the Mpumalanga Unemployed Youth Graduates structure had further highlighted the urgency of closing the gap between qualifications and employment.
Ndlovu called for a coordinated approach to expand workplace exposure, strengthen skills development and promote youth entrepreneurship as part of broader efforts to reduce unemployment among young people in Mpumalanga.
Both parties agreed to establish a task team to fast-track the finalisation and signing of the MOU, supported by a clear implementation framework to ensure that the proposed initiatives translate into tangible opportunities for students and graduates.
