One hundred and four Science, Engineering and Technology graduates have successfully completed their internship programme and are ready to enter the workforce.

The certificate ceremony for the DST/NRF Internship programme took place earlier today for the first group of interns who are exiting the programme in July 2007.

The Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Derek Hanekom, handed the certificates to the Interns at the Diep in die Berg Lodge in Pretoria.

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) in partnership with the National Research Foundation (NRF) entered into an agreement to jointly implement and manage the internship programme aimed at empowering unemployed post graduates and graduates in the Science, Engineering, Technology, Research and Development field with skills and workplace competencies.

The Internship programme also aims to address the shortage of skills within the science system, thus responding to the skills priorities for the National System of Innovation (NSI).

“When I see all of you today the recipients of the certificates today, I am assured that we are addressing the skills shortage specifically within our National System of Innovation”, added Deputy Minister Hanekom.

This initiative designed for Science, Engineering, Technology, Innovation, Research and Development started in 2005. It is linked with the National Skills Development Strategy 2005-2010, which was established with the intention of radically transforming education and training in South Africa by improving both the quality and quantity of the training of students.

One hundred and sixty eight unemployed graduates have been recruited and placed in the Department of Science and Technology, associated science institutions and science councils for the 2006/7 financial year. Of the 168 interns, 35% have already been absorbed in the job market, with 69% permanent, and 31% on contract. Of those interns employed 71% are employed within the Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) sector.

The envisaged outcome of internship programme is the Science System being able to attract and retain suitable candidates from the pool of interns thus, addressing the shortage of skills and the scourge of unemployment, especially among young graduates.

 
Issued by the Department of Science and Technology

For media enquiries, contact:

Celeste Tema, Deputy Director: Communication and Media Liaison

(012) 843 6784 / 0833990765 or celeste.tema@dst.gov.za

For more information about internship programme, contact:

Takalani Musekwa, Deputy Director: Training and Development

(012) 843 6686/ 083 399 6511 or takalani.musekwa@dst.gov.za