Abstract
This study focused on the perceptions of learnerships and internships as tools for skills development of youths in the Sedibeng District Municipality (SDM) in the Gauteng province. The main aim of this study was to analyse the role of internships and learnerships in the SDM as tools for skills development of youths and to assess whether the goals of these intended programmes are perceived to be met by the direct stakeholders involved. To make this determination, this study focused on how internship and learnership programmes were perceived by stakeholders, including participants in the programmes and municipal officials who acted as supervisors in these programmes. This study utilised a qualitative research design in order to analyse data gathered from existing knowledge on the subject, while qualitative interviews were conducted with respondents to establish the utility of internships and learnerships in promoting skills development in the SDM. The study found that internships and learnerships could be used as tools to promote skills among unemployed youths. However, the study also found that internship and learnership programmes could be used more effectively by widening the length, breadth, and scope of the programmes by introducing focused workshops and detailed mentoring, and extending the programmes to deserving youths. Moreover, the private sector could also increase the utility of internship and learnership programmes by investing financial and human capital resources in them.
M.A. (Public Management and Governance)