Department Of Water And Sanitation Apprenticeship, A new Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) was announced on Wednesday by the executive mayor of the metro, Clr Mzwandile Masina.
This programme is expected to see 300 youth enter a three-year apprenticeship which is intended to create sustainable artisan jobs.
Through this initiative the metro will potentially phase out dependency on external contractors who undertake the installation, repairs and maintenance of water meters in the metro.
Through a partnership with Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges (TVET) and the metro, beneficiaries will exit the programme as qualified artisans, having obtained a trade test certificate and a vocational qualification simultaneously.
The programme has two components, namely, six-month theoretical and practical plumbing apprenticeship training at an accredited TVET college integrated with 24 months experiential training within the Ekurhuleni Department of Water and Sanitation.
The metro has identified water governance as an immediate remedy to improve water use efficiency, and reduce non-revenue water in the municipality.
Non-revenue water in the metro is currently standing at 34.7 per cent and the long-term target is to reduce this figure to 20 per cent by 2023, in line with the water demand management strategy.
“We are continuously investigating ways on how we can exploit the potential of the demographic dividend in our metro,” said Masina.
“This initiative is a targeted programme aimed at rebuilding the plumbing skills base for water stewards while creating work opportunities for the youth.