Latest news with #PresidentialYouthEmploymentInitiative
Eyewitness News
02-06-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
More than 76k SAns received job opportunities in State-sponsored programmes, says Mhlauli
JOHANNESBURG - Deputy Minister in The Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli says more than 76,000 people received opportunities for work in the last quarter of the financial year through a government-sponsored jobs programme. Mhlauli released statistics for the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative during a media briefing in Pretoria on Monday. This initiative was established five years ago, aimed at addressing the crisis of youth unemployment in the country. South Africa's youth unemployment rate stands at an alarming 46.1%, with data indicating that the majority of these individuals are neither enrolled in educational institutions nor participating in any form of training. ALSO READ: Trade and construction sectors the biggest contributors to SA's Q1 unemployment woes Between January and March, the presidential youth employment initiative provided over 76,000 young people with access to earning opportunities. However, the opportunities differ, ranging from internship programmes and short-term contracts to a limited number of permanent positions. Mhauli says the programme is playing a key role in addressing the crisis of youth unemployment. "These jobs are not just temporary placements. They are quality jobs, defined by duration, income level, and growth potential. We are already seeing shifts in employer practices as a result to better accommodating excluded young people." Despite these achievements, the youth unemployment rate continued to rise during the same period that earning opportunities were provided to these 76 young individuals.
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.
The Citizen
22-04-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Less jobs and money: How much you'll earn if you join the PYEP
Here's what positions are available and who qualifies Desperate young people looking for work through the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative's Basic Education Employment Initiative will have to contend with fewer positions and lower pay this year, the department has confirmed. The fifth phase of the programme will start on 1 June 2025 and end in November. It will be a 6-month programme. The project 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. Stipend to be allocated And while these are great goals, fewer people will be able to benefit from the programme this year. The Department of Basic Education told Parliament on Tuesday that the job created in phase five are 50 000 lesser than what was produced in phase four. They are being funded by the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and the National Treasury. 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. ALSO READ: Teachers forced to live in abandoned, dilapidated school building 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) How much will you earn? While the monthly stipend went up in the first three phases, it remained the same in 2023. It has now decreased from R4 081.44 to R4 000. Those in the programme will have to pay a 1% UIF contribution but will also get R30 a month for data. The lower stipend may have something to do with overall funding for the programme being reduced from R6.4 billion to R5.6 billion. Who qualifies for the programme? 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 Below is the specific requirements for each position
