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PUBLIC SERVICE
Public Service Developmenta Programms tackle youth unemployment
This article is made up excerpts from the Implementation of Developmen- tal Programmes in the Public Service 2017/18 report, which assesses the efforts of the Public Service in making a dent on youth unemployment.
Introduction
The National Development Plan (NDP) identified a number of areas requiring urgent and focused attention to ensure that the Public Service becomes a ca- reer of choice for young people and that it attracts the necessary skills and capacity to deliver on the objectives of government. Consequently, the Department of Public Service and Ad- ministration (DPSA) has undertaken several interventions that are aimed at contributing towards reducing youth unemployment, such as the following: • supporting the appointment of youth
to developmental programmes;
• investigating the feasibility of devel- oping and piloting a formal gradu- ate recruitment scheme to support departments in attracting and de- veloping young talent.
Tracking the numbers
Therefore, the annual Implementa- tion of Developmental Programmes in the Public Service reports track the extent to which departments are cre- ating opportunities for young people in the Public Service. They highlight the trends, laud the achievements and make recommendations on how to overcome challenges.
According to the latest 2017/18 report, a total of 75 058 interns, learners and apprentices were recruited into devel- opmental programmes in the Public Service. Of these, 19 054 were gradu- ate interns, 16 735 student interns, 33
270 learners who enrolled into learn- ership programmes, 1 642 apprentices and 4 366 individuals with matric who were placed into other developmental programmes to equip them with work experience required in the labour mar- ket.
Departments are required to promote equal opportunities for employment in order to redress the disadvantages in employment experienced by des- ignated groups in line with the Em- ployment Equity Act (No. 55 of 1998). The Implementation of Developmental Programmes in the Public Service is a crucial part of redressing past dis- crimination. The latest report indicates that more than half (58%) of individuals who participated in developmental pro- grammes were female and 42% were male. The racial profile indicates that
10 SERVICE DELIVERY REVIEW | Volume 12 No.3 of 2019