A Belhar community activist is appealing to residents to register for free courses in business administration, entrepreneurship and occupational safety.
Kalib Missoe, founder of the National Youth League, hosted a registration last Tuesday where 101 people signed up and says they require 99 more people for the first class.
The next registration is taking place on Thursday.
“The classes are available for youth aged between 18 and 28 with the aim to empower them to make a better life for themselves.
“My goal is to have four classes, and it’s not only for people from Belhar - anybody can come and register for it.”
The classes will be hosted by Atvance Academy, a local empowerment corporation licensed with the South African Qualifications Authority that has over 30 000 students at 245 locations across South Africa.
Belhar resident Kalib says: “The classes will take 12 months to complete and it will be once a week.
“The good thing about it is that there is no exam, just practical work and theory.
“When the students finish the course they will get a national certificate that is accredited so it will also allow them to apply for university.”
He says the 18 to 28 age group has the highest unemployment rate in the country.
“There are so many people in Belhar who matriculate, but then they end up sitting at home because they can’t get jobs or get into university.
“I want to help them empower themselves with skills so that they can go and get careers.”
The registration will take place on Thursday at 10am at Belhar Civic Centre and anybody with a Grade 9 pass or higher can apply with IDs and latest school reports.