Assessing the National Skills Fund’s effect on enhancing employability in the Gauteng Province

Abstract

The research aimed to evaluate the impact of the National Skills Fund (NSF) on improving employability within Gauteng Province. It set out to accomplish three primary goals: firstly, to identify the training programs sponsored by the NSF; secondly, to examine the ways in which the NSF's programs contributed to skill enhancement among beneficiaries from April 2019 to March 2022; and thirdly, to pinpoint the obstacles encountered by these individuals while seeking employment. The study utilized the qualitative research approach to conduct the desktop study research and to analyse the source data ranging from academic journals, government reports, NSF publications, labour market analyses, policy documents and legal frameworks, and media reports. The findings of the study suggest that the NSF programmes are generally well-aligned with the technical skill requirements of industries such as manufacturing and information technology. It further recommends the provision of softer skills, such as critical thinking and communication since it is increasingly recognized as essential in the modern workplace, not only complementing technical expertise but also enhancing problem-solving abilities and adaptability.