#10
Make public employment work
Youth Capital advocates for public employment schemes to build skills, work experience and social networks that guide young people into further income opportunities.
In a country facing many socio-economic challenges, public employment programmes such as the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), Community Work Programme (CWP) and the Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES), have the potential to deliver social value while supporting young people’s efforts to build sought-after skills and earn an income. Ensuring that these short-term jobs connect participants with are a stepping stone for further opportunities can change this.
The facts are
I was one of the youth employed under the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative program as an Education Assistant. The program was very exciting and challenging. It was a great opportunity for me, the community and teachers. I was able to take care of my family with the stipend I was getting. And teachers were at least able to focus on other activities and attend to other students.
-Pelontle Maila
RESEARCH
In response to COVID-19’s impact on jobs and livelihoods, the Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) was launched towards the end of 2020, with the objective of supporting livelihoods while the labour market recovers: investing in public goods and services, enhancing skills and employability, and boosting demand in the economy at the same time. One of the initiatives of the Presidential Employment Stimulus is the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI), South Africa’s largest ever public employment programme.
Youth Capital’s report highlights important considerations with regard to the design and delivery of public employment programmes like the BEEI, that should be taken into account with respect to the implementation of such programmes, including the future iterations of the BEEI.
What could improved certification look like?
Government works with partners to make sure participants are trained and prepared to take on meaningful learning or earning opportunities following the programme
SETAs work with public employment schemes to ensure participants are learning new skills that are sought by potential employers
Public employment projects are assessed against their community impact and impact on us; as well as the number of work opportunities created
We’ve got a plan!
Join over 50 organisations and 15 000 individuals and add your voice and experience to a coordinated response to youth unemployment.
