Mmabatho — The National Youth Service (NYS) programme is a Presidential initiative that seeks to create employment opportunities and eradicate poverty by involving young people in the delivery of crucial government services.

Public Works Minister Thoko Didiza and provincial MEC Jerry Thibedi will unveil the project on Friday, which also aims to involve youth in public infrastructure maintenance projects.

The project is part of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) to intensify the fight against poverty and unemployment.

The NYS supports nation building through involving young people in the provision of crucial government services, thus giving them giving the skills to access economic opportunities.

Through the programme, the province managed to skill 1 040 unemployed in 2007 through the EPW programmes, Conservation Management, Heritage Management, ICT, ABET facilitators, Road Safety Management and construction.

This year, the provincial government aims to place over 3000 youth in the programme.

Volunteers will be placed in various community development activities and increase youth participation in national programmes that enhance social cohesion.

The NYS was officially launched in 2004 by Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad and is a conduit to achieve the goals of the Joint Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition.

In line with the Accelerated Shared Growth Initiative of South Africa, the programme provides the youth with long term and effective means of reconstructing the South African society through physical rehabilitation of government buildings.

In the North West, among other things, the programme seeks to train young people in the construction industry and also to involve them in the maintenance of state assets.