#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), can deliver social value while supporting young people’s efforts to earn an income.
Policy change must ensure that these short-term jobs connect participants with stepping stones for further opportunities.
jobs 
make public employment workjobs make public employment workjobs make public employment work
make public employment workthe fact is
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
‘One Million and Counting: The Presidential Employment Stimulus’ underscores the vital role of public employment programmes in addressing youth unemployment, while at the same time providing social protection. It also highlights the large impact the Stimulus has had in only three years through its coordination with multiple partners and a bottom-up approach, revitalising an economy battered by the lockdown and a society facing a complex mix of socio-economic challenges.
he brief also puts forward recommendations to further strengthen and increase the impact of the Stimulus, by ensuring sustainable funding models, a focus on M&E, equitable access to training and strengthening and diversifying exit pathways.
What would it take to make public employment programmes work?
Government departments design and implement programmes consistently, based on the latest evidence with rigorous training and mentoring
National Treasury commits to long-term funding for these programmes
The programmes include a transparent, timeous, and accurate monitoring and evaluation framework
more from the action plan
ACTION PLAN | JOBS
#8 All Experience Must Matter
ACTION PLAN | jobs
#9 UNLOCK OPPORTUNITIES FOR US
ACTION PLAN | TRANSITIONS