The Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI) aims to create jobs for unemployed youth living in South Africa. Beneficiaries of the PYEI are employed in several government sectors for a set period.
The Department of Basic Education’s (DBE) contribution to the PYEI is known as the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI). Three phases of the BEEI have already been completed which saw the creation of 270,000 jobs per phase.
Applications for phase 4 of the BEEI will open this month and will allow thousands of youth to be employed at a school in their community. However, the DBE revealed that applicants will need an academic qualification before they can be considered for placement.
If a young person is employed through the BEEI, they will be employed in one of two positions. They will either serve as an Education Assistant or General Assistant.
Youth will need to have a Grade 12 or Matric qualification to be considered for Education Assistant positions. Youth who want to apply for General Assistants do not require a Grade 12 qualification to apply for employment. The department also encouraged beneficiaries of the Funza Lushaka bursary scheme to apply for positions.
Here Are The Qualifying Criteria Phase Four Of The Teaching Assistant Initiative
- Youths between the ages of 18 and 34 years old when they apply
- Youth must live within a 5 km radius of the school (or 30 km radius if it is a small, micro or farm school)
- Education Assistant (EA) must have a Matric qualification
- General School Assistants (GSA) do not need a Matric qualification
Youth who participated in the first three phases of the programme will not be considered for positions in phase 4. Individuals who are currently working, involved in training or participating in learnerships will also not be considered for education assistant positions in phase four.
The BEEI impacted the lives of more than 270,000 families around the country. Some education assistants shared how the initiative impacted their lives.