GOOD Statement by Sarah Mabotsa,
GOOD City of Tshwane Councillor and MMC for Economic Development and Spatial Planning
26 September 2025
“This week the GOOD Party has proudly supported the adoption of a new Artisan Training and Development Framework for the City of Tshwane that will see more opportunities for unemployed youth and for young people from special needs schools” said GOOD’s Councillor Sarah Mabotsa, the Tshwane Mayoral Committee for Economic Development and Spatial Planning. GOOD is a partner in the multi-party coalition government of the Capital City’s local government.
The new Artisan Training and Development Framework was adopted to address skills shortages, provide training opportunities for city employees seeking to reskill and to provide training and work opportunities for unemployed youth. The framework also includes a dedicated focus on training for learners from Special Educational Needs Schools. The strategy replaces an outdated Apprenticeship Strategy of 2009.
The new Framework comprises:
• Full-time apprenticeship scheme for new labour market entrants,
• Programme for existing employees of the City of Tshwane,
• Training for Industry or other Local Authorities,
• Technical Skills programmes, and
• A Technical skills bridging programme for students from special schools.
“Youth unemployment is a major challenge to be overcome in South Africa” explained Mabotsa “The inclusion of learners from special education schools, as well as youth generally, demonstrates the commitment of the Tshwane multi-party collation government to a truly inclusive model of economic growth”.
“The majority of learners at special education schools exit at Grade 10 and this early exit can limit students from accessing further technical training opportunities, since they lack the Grade 12 qualification to enter some apprenticeship and work-based learning programmes” she explained. “To solve this, the City’s new programme includes a one-year technical skills bridging programme to enable students from these schools to access the apprenticeship programme by providing them with an appropriate foundation in technical skills and workplace readiness.”
The Framework also outlines the implementation of apprenticeships across various trades, including for electrical, plumbing, welding, boiler-making, diesel and petrol mechanics, and fitting and turning artisans. The measures to be implemented will provide access to accredited artisan training opportunities for both existing employees seeking to upskill or reskill, as well as to unemployed youth. The training programmes will enable a pipeline of qualified artisans in key skill areas to be developed.
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