WeeklySA_AdminCOVID: The pandemic brought about serious economic challenges
By Thuli Zungu
Unemployed youths between the ages of 18 and 35 will soon find employment after the Department of Basic Education Employment Initiative opened its recruitment doors from September 27 to October 3 this year.
In a media release issued this week the department announced that they were planning to provide employment to at least 287 000 unemployed young people who are currently neither in education or training, receiving any form of government grant, as well as young people with disabilities. Women are eligible and encouraged to apply for this enriching experience.
The Department of Education hopes to employ about 192 000 as Education Assistants and about 95 000 General School Assistants in the education sector, as part of the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI)-Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI), which forms part of the Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES), to mitigate the devastating economic challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Candidates who are selected for placement, will have an opportunity to receive training on various skills that will equip them for future employment opportunities.
All successful candidates will be placed in schools for 5 months, from November 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022, for the following available opportunities:
• Education Assistant – Cu riculum
• Education Assistant – ICT/e-Cadres
• Education Assistant – Reading Champions
• General School Assistant – Child
& Youth Care Worker
• General School Assistant – Handyman (no matric required)
• General School Assistant – Sports and Enrichment Agent (no matric required)
To qualify as an Education Assistant, the applicant must have passed matric English, while an NQF Level 4, 6 and 7 qualification certificate, will be an added advantage. However, for placement as a General School Assistant, a matric certificate is not required for Infrastructure support and Sports and Enrichment Agents, although trade certificates will be an added advantage.
To work in the education environment, the applicant must have a good ability to work with people, and within groups, have good communication skills and be a good listener and have interest in academics. To apply for placement, youths are urged to visit sayouth.mobi to create a profile and submit their applications. No walk-ins will be allowed in schools due to Covid19 restrictions.
Should you receive notice that you have been selected for shortlisting, you will be required to prepare the following documents:
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Testimonials (former school, local chief, church leader, etc)
• Police clearance certificates
• Affidavit/Declaration by applicant stating he/she has no criminal record
while awaiting the police clearance.
• Certified qualifications such as Matric, (where applicable: NQF Level 4 qualification certificate for Education Assistant applicants with NQF level 6 and 7 an added advantage)
• Certified copy of identity document/Passport.
As in Phase I, there will be a strong emphasis on training participants, with a view to adding to their skills set, as well as setting them up for improved employment prospects.
