Latest news with #PresidentialEmploymentStimulus
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
