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News in Brief

Government to unveil the Future of Work
Ambassadors Programme for young graduates

At the start of July 2022, the government unveiled the The Future of Work Ambassadors Programme forms
Future of Work Ambassadors Programme for young part of the DPSA’s initiatives to practically support the
graduates in the Public Service. The programme ideals envisioned in Chapter 13 of the National Devel-
is a recruitment drive in a partnership between the opment Plan and Priority 1 of the Medium-Term Stra-
Department of Public Service and Administration tegic Framework, namely, building a capable, ethical
(DPSA), the National Youth Development Agency and developmental state.
(NYDA), the Public Sector Education Authority (PSE-
TA) and the United National Development Programme The Future of Work was conceptualised in response
(UNDP). to challenges facing the Public Service, such as:
The programme saw the placement of the first co- § The ageing public service workforce;
hort of 33 young graduates in internship programmes
across selected national and provincial departments § Erosion of institutional knowledge;
for 24 months. During the programme, participants § Lack of integration of young people, espe-
will be provided with practical experience and capac- cially at the senior management level;
itated with skills and training, including exposure to
international peer learning to complement their aca- § The need to entice young professionals
demic credentials. (with much-needed skills) to consider gov-
ernment;
During the 2022 Youth Day, President Cyril Ramapho-
sa announced the Presidential Youth Employment In- § The need to attract young people to estab-
tervention, a comprehensive response to the youth lish long-term careers within the public ser-
unemployment challenge. Similarly, the DPSA Direc- vice;
tor-General, Yoliswa Makhasi, has consistently high- § The need for the recalibration of leadership,
lighted the matter of recruiting youth into the Public ethical culture and constitutional values in
Service through the internal knowledge sharing and the public service;
engagement platform called the “DG’s Thinking Fo-
rum”. § The need to develop progressive ways of
thinking and innovative problem-solving;
Sown at the “DG’s Thinking Forum”, the Future of
Work Ambassadors Programme found resonance § Modernisation of the public service; and
with the National Indaba on the Future of Work and § The need to realise a public service that is
Public Service Regulations, which was held early this future-fit and fit for purpose.
year. The Indaba contributed to ensuring a strategic
and programmatic approach to addressing the chal-
lenges identified by the youth and experts, such as By Nthambeleni Gabara | The Public Servant Online
breaking barriers to entry for new entrants and creat-
ing opportunities for advancing into the Senior Man-
agement Service echelons.

SERVICE DELIVERY REVIEW | Volume 15 • No. 1 of 2022 9