A Critical Review of Youth Employment Programmes in South Africa: Challenges and Solutions

Abstract

Structural Youth unemployment is generally recognised as a formidable policy challenge of our time with dire political socio-economic implications for South Africa. In response to this mammoth challenge, the government of South Africa has been implementing a package of public employment programmes towards ameliorating youth unemployment. These have been supported by some private sector measures and civil society initiatives. It is against this backdrop that this study seeks to examine the different interventions implemented by government and other partners focusing on the successes, challenges and the potential solutions to the problem of youth unemployment. The purpose of this research is to undertake a critical assessment and analysis of the existing package of youth targeted employment programmes in South Africa with the view to unpacking their successes and challenges, whilst recommending some possible solutions on youth employment. This is a matter that South Africa cannot afford to ignore as it is facing the danger of missing the opportunity of reaping the “demographic dividend” from the current youth bulge. The theoretical framework of this study is anchored on the Positive Youth Development (PYD) theory as well as the Theory of Change (ToC). In this qualitative study, exploratory research design was used. This study utilised a semi-structured interview schedule data collection instrument. This research utilised thematic analysis to analyse the qualitative data that was collected. The study found that despite a package of existing youth intervention programmes, we still have stubborn persistence of youth unemployment. The research further conducted a critical analysis of existing youth employment programmes focusing on their successes and challenges. Specific lessons were drawn from the implementation of these youth employment programmes. The study concludes by providing recommended solutions on strategies to promote and improve effective youth employment interventions.