14 Sep 2020

Francistown based youth coordinator, Mr Caiphus Kopelang says the art of beauty therapy if properly managed, can create employment for young people.

Speaking during the commencement of a two-week beauty therapy workshop organised by the Ministry of Youth Empowerment Sports and Culture Development for youth in Francistown recently , Mr Kopelang said government was concerned about unemployment particularly now during the era of COVID-19.

He said government was committed to empower youth through vocational training.

“Unemployment among young people is increasing hence the need for government to make every effort, particularly during the pandemic, to extend continuous support to improve and empower youth,” he said.

Mr Kopelang said young people as the backbone of any nation needed to be engaged and supported through skills development programmes administered through vocational training.

He said that for this years’ training workshop, the youth ministry engaged beauty therapists in Francistown as part of the informal sector who had shown to be committed in their businesses despite the challenges brought about by COVID-19.

Mr Kopelang said that the training workshop was part of the implementation plan of the World Youth Skills Day 2020 that was commemorated July 15, to promote skills acquisition by young people.

The workshops, themed: Skills for a Resilient Youth, will enhance participants’ beauty therapy skills and teach them how create employment for themselves and others. Mr Kopelang acknowledged the Francistown College of Technical and Vocational Education (FCTVE) for taking part in this transformational and youth empowerment program by training the beneficiaries.

A participant, Ms Onalenna Motona, a beauty therapist specialising in pedicure and manicure said the workshop was of great benefit to her and once done, she would venture into other areas of beauty therapy.

The workshop  brought together 10 youth scout whose certificates will give them a chance to apply for the Youth Development Fund to expand their businesses. ENDS