The fourth phase of the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI) in the basic education sector will begin on Wednesday, 1 February 2023. The commencement of the PYEI’s fourth phase will see more than 200,000 jobs created for youth at schools around the country.
The PEYI , implemented as the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI) across all nine provinces, aimed to reduce youth unemployment in the country.
Youth who were part of the programme worked as Education Assistants and General School Assistant at public schools across South Africa.
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) revealed that Phase 4 of the BEEI aims to create 255,000 job opportunities.
The 255,000 youth employed under the initiative will be split into two cohorts with around 150,000 youth starting work on Wednesdays and the remaining 105,000 youth beginning working in May 2023.
However, the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal will appoint single cohorts of youth who will start work on 1 February 2023 and 1 March 2023 respectively.
Approximately 21,000 youth will be employed in the Western Cape while KwaZulu-Natal have made provision for the employment of 58,500 youth.
National Project Manager Lala Maje encouraged youth to take full advantage of opportunities they will be available throughout their contract. They added the opportunity to contribute to their professional development and catapult youth to even greater things.
Apart from working to assist schools where assistance is needed, youth will have access to various training opportunities throughout the duration of their contracts.
This includes a digital literacy course offered by NEMISA, an artificial intelligence in 4IR course from the University of Johannesburg and an online safety programme from Digify Africa.
Education Assistants who are employed as Reading Champions will receive training from various non-governmental organisations under the banner of the National Reading Coalition.
General School Assistants who will work as handymen and handy woman at schools will be provided with accredited training in painting, tiling, plastering and plumbing.
