PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

The Presidential Employment Stimulus was established in response to the devastating economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic – but the crisis of unemployment did not start with the pandemic and is not over now.

Since its launch in October 2020, the Employment Stimulus has taken public employment programmes (PEPs) and livelihood support interventions to new levels of scale. Its largest programme, the Basic Education Employment Initiative, has placed young people as school assistants in over 23,000 schools. It has become South Africa’s largest youth employment programme. The contribution of the Presidential Employment Stimulus is not, however, just about the numbers. It’s also about the quality of outcomes. Its PEPs are delivering meaningful work experiences – often for participants who have never worked before. For young people in particular, this helps overcome a key barrier to labour market entry. The work undertaken is also delivering real social value. The Employment Stimulus has also provided support to people engaged in livelihood activity and forms of self-employment – including subsistence farmers, Early Childhood Development practitioners, the creative sector and youth enterprises. Funding has, however been significantly cut in FY 2025. Funding has however been confirmed for FY 2026.