Latest news with #BasicEducationEmploymentInitiative
IOL News
3 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Cyril Ramaphosa's Basic Education Employment Initiative empowers 200,000 youth
President Ramaphosa celebrates 200,000 young South Africans starting work at schools through the Basic Education Employment Initiative, gaining vital skills and experience for future opportunities. President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the return of the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI), describing it as a vital pathway to work experience and skills development for South Africa's youth. In his weekly letter to the nation, Ramaphosa highlighted that around 200,000 young people are starting jobs at over 20,000 schools across the country. 'Today marks the 'first day at school' for about 200,000 young people; they are not arriving at school as learners, but as working adults,' he said. This marks the fifth phase of the BEEI, South Africa's largest youth employment programme, now funded by the UIF Labour Activation Programme and national government. The initiative, a key component of the Presidential Employment Stimulus launched in 2020, returns after a year's pause, aiming to bring 'hope, energy and incomes' to areas where job opportunities are often scarce. The programme provides participants with essential work skills, including time management, teamwork, IT, administration, and problem-solving.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Ramaphosa urges employers to give young people their 'next opportunity'
Monday marks the 'first day of school' for about 200 000 young people at more than 20 000 institutions across the country, where they'll be equipped with essential work skills. As the fifth phase of the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI) gets underway, President Cyril Ramaphosa urged employers to give young people their 'next opportunity, mentor their enthusiasm and foster their potential'. Around 200 000 young people will experience their 'first day of school' on Monday — not as students, but as participants at more than 20 000 institutions across the country, where they'll be equipped with essential work skills. However, this time, they're not arriving as pupils — they're stepping into schools as working adults. These young participants are part of the fifth phase of the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI), South Africa's largest youth employment programme to date. 'New dawn' Writing in his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa said the BEEI brings 'hope, energy and incomes to places where opportunities are too often out of reach'. 'This programme is designed to develop the work skills that employers say they need, such as time management, task management, teamwork, problem-solving, IT, admin and much more'. ALSO READ: US visit came amid 'increasing strain' between two countries, Ramaphosa says Helping hand Ramaphosa said every participant has their own hopes and dreams for their future beyond this programme. 'As a society, we cannot leave young people to navigate the transition into work alone. Together, we need to step up to assist them. These young people will leave the school environment having shown up, contributed and made a difference. 'They will have worked in high-pressure environments with limited resources and will understand deadlines and responsibility. To employers, we say: give them their next opportunity, mentor their enthusiasm, help take their potential to the next level,' Ramaphosa said. Entrepreneurs Ramaphosa said the country also needs to reach those young people who want to be entrepreneurs. 'We need to find new ways to support those who want to create their own jobs and local value, to connect them to finance, training, markets and networks. 'Through the Presidential Employment Stimulus, we have demonstrated the government's capacity to address the youth unemployment problem. Through this programme, we have been able to give young people work experience and a pathway to formal employment or even further education,' Ramaphosa said. ALSO READ: 'Events beyond our shores should not divide us' — Ramaphosa
SowetanLIVE
23-04-2025
- Business
- SowetanLIVE
Government offers 200,000 teacher assistant positions for unemployed youth
The basic education department has announced that applications for the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI) — Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI) Phase V are open. This opportunity will offer 200,000 unemployed youth between the ages of 18 and 34 positions as education assistants and general school assistants in public schools. 'The focus for BEEI Phase V is to provide support to educators to contribute towards improved learning outcomes. To support the 7th Administration Priorities, the initiative will allocate more opportunities towards reading champions to support the improvement of reading and literacy in foundation and intermediate phases,' the department said. Successful candidates will receive a stipend of R4,000 per month (less than 1% UIF contribution) and R30 for data. Applications opened on April 22 and will close on May 9. Interviews will be conducted between May 19 and 31, and contracts will begin on June 2 and last until November. Schools have been advised to provide opportunities for disabled youth and women, as well as to prioritise youth in communities where the schools are located. 'In this way, the youth do not have to spend money on transportation between their homes and the schools where they will be employed.' The departments encouraged youth to apply for the opportunities 'so that they are included in these massive job opportunities, which can propel them into even greater opportunities and allow them to develop as professionals'. How to apply: Go to the SA Youth mobi website and register on the platform. The site is free and does not require any data. If you have already registered, simply log in using the same details. Once registered, opportunities at the school nearest to the address you have provided will appear, allowing you to submit your application. If no opportunities are visible, you can search for 'Education Assistant' or 'General Assistant.' Who can apply: South African citizens aged between 18-34; Must have a South African bank account; Must live within 5km of an urban school or 30km of a farm/rural school; and The phase is open to youth who have not participated in the program before. TimesLIVE
TimesLIVE
23-04-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Government offers 200,000 teacher assistant positions for unemployed youth
The basic education department has announced that applications for the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI) — Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI) Phase V are open. This opportunity will offer 200,000 unemployed youth between the ages of 18 and 34 positions as education assistants and general school assistants in public schools. 'The focus for BEEI Phase V is to provide support to educators to contribute towards improved learning outcomes. To support the 7th Administration Priorities, the initiative will allocate more opportunities towards reading champions to support the improvement of reading and literacy in foundation and intermediate phases,' the department said. Successful candidates will receive a stipend of R4,000 per month (less than 1% UIF contribution) and R30 for data. Applications opened on April 22 and will close on May 9. Interviews will be conducted between May 19 and 31, and contracts will begin on June 2 and last until November. Schools have been advised to provide opportunities for disabled youth and women, as well as to prioritise youth in communities where the schools are located. 'In this way, the youth do not have to spend money on transportation between their homes and the schools where they will be employed.' The departments encouraged youth to apply for the opportunities 'so that they are included in these massive job opportunities, which can propel them into even greater opportunities and allow them to develop as professionals'. How to apply: Go to the SA Youth mobi website and register on the platform. The site is free and does not require any data. If you have already registered, simply log in using the same details. Once registered, opportunities at the school nearest to the address you have provided will appear, allowing you to submit your application. If no opportunities are visible, you can search for 'Education Assistant' or 'General Assistant.' Who can apply: TimesLIVE
The Citizen
23-04-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Youth Employment and the BEEI Phase Five Update
The fifth phase of the program will start on 1 June 2025 and end in November. It will be a 6-month program. As SA's youth unemployment crisis rages on, the Department of Basic Education has received more than 1.1 million applications for 44 000 education assistant jobs. Applications for the fifth phase of the Basic Education Employment Initiative under the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative opened on Tuesday. In less than 24 hours, over 1.1 million applications had been recorded on the SAYouthmobi website used to sign up for the programme. It is worth noting that applicants can apply for multiple positions, with many doing so. By 6pm on Tuesday, 223 000 individual work seekers had applied for the initiative. 44 000 job 'opportunities' have been loaded, with each available position getting an average of 25 applications. Departmental spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga shared the state of applications as they stood at that time. What positions are available? The Basic Education Employment Initiative aims to stimulate economic recovery and reduce youth unemployment by providing young people with meaningful job opportunities. It also focuses on alleviating poverty, supporting livelihoods, and creating pathways into other forms of work, among others. Positions include education assistants and general school assistants. Education assistants can work as Curriculum Assistants, ICT/eCadres, Reading Champions, Care and Support Assistants, Laboratory Assistants, and Workshop Assistants General school assistants can work as an Infrastructure Maintenance (Handyman) or a Sport Enrichment Assistant (SEA) The fifth phase of the program will start on 1 June 2025 and end in November. It will be a 6-month program. ALSO READ: 50 000 fewer jobs and less money: Here's how much you will now earn if you join the presidential youth employment programme Where are the jobs based? The programme is being funded by the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and the National Treasury. The application portal showed 202 000 vacancies, while a presentation by the department this week listed 204 676 job opportunities under the programme. Of the jobs set to be created, the majority of those funded by the UIF were in KZN (35 336), followed by Gauteng (28 005). Northern Cape recorded the lowest number (3 744) of jobs. KZN will also get the lion's share of positions funded by National Treasury (10 322), again followed by Gauteng (8 181). The Northern Cape will get 1 094. The biggest barrier to implementation thus far has been drawing up training plans, with only the Western Cape being ready. Who qualifies for the program? The minimum requirements include: Youth who were in previous phases, however, meeting the below criteria, qualify to apply Youth at age 18 – 34 years (18 or above when applying, or 34 turning 35 on or before 31 March 2026) Both EAs and GSAs at a school for LSEN between the ages 18 and 39, turning 40 on or before 31 March 2026, Youth residing 5km around the location of the school and 30 km from farm schools only One opportunity per household Meet requirements per category and sub-category applied for Youth, not in education, employment, or training (excluding distance or online student teachers). However, there is an exemption for youth studying teaching qualifications at distance and remote learning institutions. These should be prioritised, even if they are funded by the government (NSFAS or Funza Lushaka), to allow students to gain relevant teaching experience and minimise the need for induction when they complete their degree. Youth not receiving government grants for self (e.g. Grants such as R350 – candidates will be requested to cancel this in the month of confirmed appointment) Youth not receiving any other form of stipend, wage, or salary Youth not in a learnership Youth without a criminal record. Candidates will be expected to present their police clearance record when they come for an interview. Youth living with disability must provide a medical certificate confirming the nature of disability. Youth who have a valid South African Identity Book/Card How to apply Applications are still open. You can apply by registering and answering some questions on Data is not needed to access the site and once you have applied may be placed at a school close to where you live.
