The South African Property Owners Association (SAPOA) and the National Business Initiative (NBI) have launched the second phase of the Installation, Repair, and Maintenance (IRM) programme which aims to reduce youth unemployment.
The programme, which began in 2022, assists with deploying learning, employment opportunities, and infrastructure maintenance for unemployed technical and vocational education and training college learners – and it is bearing fruit with 85 unemployed learners placed with employment in various sectors across Gauteng and Cape Town by 2023. In March 2024, the programme will place 125 students.
Since 2019, NBI has been at the forefront of a comprehensive effort to create entry-level opportunities in IRM occupations, contributing to the growth of skilled professionals in this vital sector of the economy.
The initiative focuses on partnering with member companies, particularly with SAPOA members, to place learners in their organisations.
“These are not traditional learnerships but rather aims to facilitate the placement of learners in member companies to provide them with valuable workplace experience,” says SAPOA. “SAPOA members mentor learners, administer logbooks, attendance registers, and offer hands-on learning experience in diverse fields such as installation, repair, and maintenance, which include plumbing, renewable energy and automotive repairs.”
NBI oversees the administration of the human resources cycle, managing key aspects such as recruitment, placement, payment of stipends, and provision of personal protective equipment to the participating candidates. By streamlining these processes, NBI ensures a seamless experience for learners and member companies, fostering an environment conducive to skills development and career progression.
“By collaborating with our esteemed member companies, we collectively contribute to building a skilled workforce in the installation, repair, and maintenance sectors. The initiative benefits the learners by providing them with practical experience and strengthens the industry by ensuring a pipeline of well-trained professionals,” notes SAPOA Operations Manager Kgabo Moshia.
NBI and SAPOA encourage all stakeholders in the property maintenance sector to actively participate in this initiative by forwarding the information to relevant companies in their networks.
“By doing so, the industry actively contributes to the development of skilled professionals and fosters a sustainable future for the IRM sector,” says SAPOA.
The programme, which is a certified skills programme with the Quality Council for Trades & Occupations (QCTO), offers a practical road to acquiring recognition of skills and competencies that lead to acknowledged part qualifications to a designation as a general handyperson.
The programme also aims to identify and assist with municipal infrastructure-related challenges in metros where SAPOA members are interested and undertake research on relevant real estate industry themes.
To participate in this programme, register here or contact Kgabo Moshia (opsmanager@sapoa.org.za)
