Hon Speaker, in line with the ANC's commitment to creating five million jobs by 2020, an initiative to create jobs launched by the Gauteng Department of Economic Development on 21 October 2011 is greatly welcomed. The programme is called Y-Age and aims to train 100 000 young businesspeople between the ages of 18 and 34 years. Consideration will also be given to those between the ages of 35 and 40 years who have tertiary qualifications.
Approximately R90 million has been set aside to fund this programme over the next three years, with the support of finance institutions and private- sector partners. The aim is to train people in various business skills. An approved business plan will receive funding of between R500 000 and R1 million. There will be more than 90 training centres, and more than 30 sectors have been identified, including the agricultural, information and communications technology, and franchising sectors.
The drive to register the potential entrepreneurs will take place at Gauteng Propeller outlets and malls, or on an online website and mobisite. Each entrepreneur will be empowered to create at least 10 jobs. It is envisaged that this programme will create a million jobs over three years. Thank you, Speaker. [Applause.]