CoE launches programme to alleviate unemployment
The National Treasury allocated the funding to the city in the 2023-2024 financial year.
The CoE launched the Ekurhuleni Public Employment Programme (EPEP) at Germiston Stadium, welcoming the new recruits as part of the Youth Empowerment Programme.
In response to the rising youth unemployment rate in Ekurhuleni, over 1 200 unemployed residents were given employment opportunities for up to six months.
The programme aims to rapidly expand public employment and reduce the high unemployment rate, thus preserving and protecting community livelihoods.
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A R7m budget was allocated for this initiative, with funding provided by the National Treasury for the 2023-2024 financial year.
“The budget is allocated to assist the city in mitigating the negative impact of youth unemployment.
“The city PEP focuses on precinct management, community safety, place-making, greening, integrated waste management, and digitisation, particularly in poor and marginalised areas,” said Clr Nomadlozi Nkosi, the MMC for Developmental Planning and Real Estate.
The Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP) was established to address the severe impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on jobs and livelihoods.
It aims to protect existing jobs, support meaningful work, and aid the labour market’s recovery.
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This initiative also protects jobs in vulnerable sectors and provides livelihood support through various grants and programmes.
Nkosi said the Economic Development Department secured the grant from the National Treasury to implement the PESP with stakeholder departments and municipal entities.
“The implementation of the programme in the CoE has significantly impacted the livelihoods of the local residents by supporting job creation, job protection, and livelihood support as part of a broader economic recovery.”
Since the 2021/22 financial year, the city has recruited over 6 900 candidates through the programme, with grant allocations exceeding R320m from the Neighborhood Development Programme Grant.
“The beneficiaries, primarily youth from local communities, are recommended and appointed to improve service delivery initiatives, thereby reducing unemployment,” Nkosi said.
