The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa says the problem of unemployed young people is too big to be solved through a R5 billion wage subsidy.
Numsa president, Cedric Gina says government solutions must involve a massive skills revolution for young people, including the re-opening of nursing colleges, the filling of all further education and training facilities and the adoption of a manufacturing-based industrial strategy.
He was speaking at Numsa's 25th anniversary celebration in Athlone, in the Western Cape on Saturday.
Gina said the Congress of South African Trade Unions was opposed to the current proposed youth wage subsidy.
He called on Numsa members to approach the upcoming Cosatu congress with the purpose of ensuring that the federation emerged united.
