WeeklySA_AdminPATHWAY: Government reports that its flagship youth employment programme created more than 155 000 earning opportunities in the final quarter of 2025/26, while plans are underway to expand job-creation initiatives and recruit a further 100 000 young people…
By Own Correspondent
The Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) created more than 155 000 new earning opportunities for young South Africans during the fourth quarter of the 2025/26 financial year.
This underscoring government’s continued efforts to tackle the country’s persistent youth unemployment crisis, said Deputy Minister in The Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli when delivering the programme’s latest progress report in Pretoria today.
She said the intervention remains a critical instrument in helping young people transition from education into employment, entrepreneurship and skills development opportunities.
“The PYEI is South Africa’s most comprehensive flagship strategy designed to address the chronic youth unemployment crisis,” said Mhlauli.
Launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2020, the intervention coordinates efforts across government, the private sector and civil society to expand access to jobs, training and enterprise development opportunities for young people.
The latest report shows that 155,161 earning opportunities were secured during the quarter, contributing to the programme’s growing impact nationwide.
Mhlauli noted that the release of the report coincided with the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Youth Uprising, drawing a connection between the sacrifices of previous generations and the ongoing struggle for economic inclusion.
“Let their steadfast courage and sacrifice be a reminder to all young people of South Africa that change only comes about through action,” she said.
She also encouraged young people to participate in the upcoming Independent Electoral Commission voter registration weekend.
“By registering to vote, young people affirm their voice, strengthen our democracy and contribute to building a South Africa that reflects their aspirations, hopes and dreams.”
The National Pathway Management Network (NPMN), which serves as the backbone of the intervention, continues to expand its reach. More than 5.9 million young people are now registered on the SA Youth platform, while over 5.36 million are registered on the Employment Services of South Africa (ESSA) system.
Since its inception, the PYEI has facilitated access to more than 2.5 million temporary earning opportunities through SA Youth and a further 422 667 opportunities through ESSA.
The programme has also made notable gains in promoting gender inclusion, with more than 70% of opportunities accessed through SA Youth benefiting young women.
Among the quarter’s key achievements was the placement of 18 310 young people into workplace experience opportunities through the private-sector-led Youth Employment Service (YES) programme.
The Department of Higher Education and Training, through the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), facilitated 5 005 work-integrated learning opportunities for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students and graduates.
The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) supported 6 085 young people through financial and non-financial enterprise development opportunities, while Phase Four of the revitalised National Youth Service (NYS) recruited an additional 5 272 participants.
This brings the total number of paid service opportunities created through the NYS programme to 138 056 since its launch.
Government plans to further expand the initiative, with Phase Five expected to recruit an additional 100 000 young people across the country.
Another significant milestone during the quarter was the completion of the R300-million Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund Pilot, an innovative outcomes-based financing initiative aimed at increasing youth employment.
By the end of March 2026, the pilot had enrolled 9 174 young people — exceeding its target by 10% — and secured 7 044 job placements, surpassing its original target by 54%.
In addition, 5 211 jobs had been sustained for at least three months, while 3,795 had remained in place for six months, with verification processes continuing.
Mhlauli said the pilot demonstrated that outcomes-based funding can effectively support the most disadvantaged young people.
“Most importantly, it proved that outcomes-based financing successfully supports the most disadvantaged, with youth from Quintile 1 schools achieving higher retention rates.”
Building on the pilot’s success, government is preparing to scale the fund to R1 billion, with the aim of creating 20,000 high-quality job placements through public-private partnerships.
The report also highlighted the impact of the NPMN Innovation Fund, particularly in rural communities where formal employment opportunities remain limited.
One example is HPSA Southern Africa’s programme in KwaZulu-Natal, which enrolled 1,800 young people to provide agricultural and animal health services.
Already, 678 participants are generating income and have collectively recorded sales of R1.4 million.
“These results demonstrate how targeted innovation can build sustainable self-employment opportunities in areas where formal jobs are scarce,” Mhlauli said.
Looking ahead to the 2026/27 financial year, government says it will focus on expanding access to quality work opportunities, strengthening partnerships and ensuring more young people are connected to pathways that lead to sustainable livelihoods.
With youth unemployment remaining one of South Africa’s most pressing socio-economic challenges, the latest results suggest that the PYEI is continuing to provide an important bridge between learning and earning for millions of young people
