Thank you, hon Speaker. The ANC supports the call by the Minister of Public Works to qualified engineers or artisans with experience in the construction or built environment to submit their curricula vitae, to the National Department of Public Works. The aim is to create a database of engineers and artisans so that they can assist the department to deliver on its infrastructure mandate and job creation, and to contribute to a sustainable skills database well into the future.
Unqualified artisans will be trained as apprentices in the departmental workshops, with the ultimate aim of having them successfully pass a trade test in order to become qualified artisans. The Department of Public Works is in the process of reopening its workshops that have been out of operation. These workshops were established primarily to have qualified staff who could provide services to government in its quest to render services to the public.
The objective of this programme is to address the shortage of artisans in South Africa. This programme is in line with the ANC-led government's commitment to ensure that our youth is skilled to compete in the labour market. We urge other departments to follow suit and find inventive ways to train and educate our youth to prepare them for the job market. I thank you. [Applause.]