Lack of skills development does in many ways contribute to high level of unemployment and therefore grinding poverty. It is in this context that Umsobomvu Youth Fund and the South African Council of Churches decided to forge partnership in order to help develop together a skills development programme that is being unveiled at this media conference today.

Both the SACC and Umsobomvu Youth Fund felt the need to do something constructive to contribute to helping our young people who may have a post-matric qualification, yet lack the "hands-on" skills to enable them to be marketable in the tough labour market.

The programme we are unveiling today will ensure that 540 unemployed graduates in all the nine provinces that make up our country get some form of training to develop their skills in programmes that will enhance their marketability in the labour market.

In addition, the programme is designed in such a way that the trainees will be required to "replicate" their training by passing on their knowledge to other unemployed graduates in their own communities.

"We are very excited about this project. We believe this is what South Africa requires if we are to help break the high rate of unemployment and create entrepreneurs," said Dr Molefe Tsele, General Secretary of the SACC.

The venture, which is sponsored for over R3 million, will run for a year and will be split into two six months blocks of 270 learners a session. Each of the 9 Provinces will provide 30 unemployed graduates a session.

Umsobomvu Youth Fund CEO, Mr. Malose Kekane, said: "Umsobomvu plans to play a meaningful role in the affairs of our nation. We hope this partnership with the South African Council of Churches will be viewed as a little step towards a greater goal of empowering our young people with skills to prepare them for the labour market and self-enrichment."

For further information contact Father Joe Mdhlela 083 6411281 or Aubrey Matsela at 082 506 9616