By Johnathan Paoli
The Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) recorded notable progress in creating jobs and work opportunities from October to December last year.
Over 53,379 opportunities were secured through the National Pathway Management Network, contributing to a total of 1.57 million since the programme’s inception, and a total of 10,337 young people were placed in various workplace experiences by means of the Youth Employment Service.
Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli updated reporters on the progress on Wednesday.
She said more than 38,864 young individuals accessed earning opportunities via SAYouth.mobi, while an additional 14,515 were supported through the Employment Services of South Africa.
And, the National Youth Development Agency and the Small Business Development Department assisted over 14,600 young entrepreneurs with financial and non-financial support.
The deputy minister said that Phase 3 of the National Youth Service was successfully launched, adding 13,568 new recruits and bringing the total number of young people placed in service opportunities to 82,378.
Speaking in Mfuleni in Cape Town, she said: “The PYEI remains a cornerstone of our national efforts to address the persistent challenge of youth unemployment, ensuring that young South Africans have access to meaningful economic opportunities.”
Launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2020, the PYEI aims to deal with the challenge of transitioning young South Africans from learning to earning.
Mhlauli said that by coordinating and enhancing existing programmes while fostering innovation, it has emerged as a significant force in creating employment opportunities.
She highlighted the four strategic pillars driving the initiative.
They are the Pathway Management Network, a platform connecting young people with job opportunities, internships and entrepreneurial support.
The second is demand-led training, a ‘pay-for-performance’ model ensuring training programmes are aligned with labour market needs.
The revitalised National Youth Service facilitates a programme engaging young people in community service while equipping them with valuable skills
And lastly, Mhlauli outlined the local ecosystem enablement fund, a mechanism stimulating local economic interventions that created employment.
One of the key highlights of the briefing, was discussions around funding models aimed at enhancing the efficiency of youth employment programs.
Launched in November 2023 with a R300 million investment, the Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund is an outcome-based funding model designed to incentivise implementing organisations.
Unlike traditional job creation models focused on training and mentorship, this fund links payments to the successful placement and sustained employment of young individuals.
So far, the fund has yielded positive results, with 3347 young people having enrolled in training programmes, 1603 securing job placements and 1247 maintaining employment for at least three months.
Mhlauli echoed Ramaphosa’s recent State of the Nation Address, emphasising the importance of private sector collaboration.
She called on businesses to use the mobile platform, which has some 4.5 million young people registered, for their hiring to support the Youth Employment Service and to scale up workplace experience opportunities over the coming year.
These interventions align with the government’s broader goal of ensuring sustainable and impactful transitions from education to employment.
While celebrating these achievements, Mhlauli acknowledged the challenges that remain in the fight against youth unemployment.
The focus moving forward would be on expanding successful programmes, securing sustainable funding and deepening partnerships with the private sector and civil society.
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