The Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI) implemented as the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI) is entering Phase Four, which starts on 5 September 2022, with the advertisement of 255 000 job opportunities meant for youth in the ages between 18 – 34, that are not in education, employment or training (NEET), for youth staying at the location of the school.

The initiative has to date created more than 850 000 job opportunities for youth in the age cohort between 18 – 35.

The youth were placed in more than 20 000 schools across the nine provinces.

This is a significant achievement of government, where +/- R19 billion was set aside to fight youth unemployment as well as providing capacity, skills, knowledge, and meaningful work experience to the youth. Whilst there are some cases of stipends not paid on time, or not yet paid, the Department can report that in the main the youth placed in PYEI-BEEI were paid their stipends from  phase I – III.

In the main the South African government has used the PYEI as a vehicle to address the triple challenge of inequality among the genders, unemployment, and poverty. It also afforded young
South Africans an opportunity to make a meaningful economic contribution. The PYEI-BEEI is entering Phase Four,  with the advertisement of 255 000 job opportunities meant for youth in the ages between 18 – 34, that are not in education, employment or training (NEET), for youth staying at the location of the school. The advertisements will be managed by SAYouth.mobi and all applications will be received from that platform ONLY. Members of the Public are requested not to walk-into schools to deliver applications.

The recruitment drive will run as follows:

• Registration on Sayouth.mobi Currently open
• Advertisement period 5 September 2022 – 16 October 2022
• Applications period 26 September 2022 – 16 October 2022
• Starting Date (Placement) 2023 (exact month to be confirmed by Provincial Education Department)

The Presidency together with the Department of Basic Education is calling on all the South Africans meeting the requirements to seize the opportunity and ensure that they apply for the job opportunities.

The Department further urges the communities, the departmental officials at National, Provinces, Districts, Circuits and Schools to assist the youth with the application process so as to ensure that all young South Africans have access to the services for applications.

Statement by the Department of Basic Education