Advance Employability - Publicand Private Opportunities

Introduction

Deciding on a career, committing to further studies and finding a job takes time and effort. Learners of all ages can benefit from using different information sources as part of their strategy to gain access to information.

As thousands of young learners continue to complete their matric exams, with feelings of both excitement and fear, practitioners play a huge role in easing their fear and uncertainties. Information sharing is crucial to learners who look to practitioners to clear up their confusion. The practitioner can start by:

- Providing support so that the learner becomes aware of themselves and their skills.

- Helping learners explore different careers, and sectors within which to work.

- Working out a career journey plan with the learner.

- Encouraging the learner to build on their skills and experience.

Let us look at the following ways of finding out how and where to look for information:

- Networking with personal contacts

- Career planning and recruitment offices

- National and local newspapers

- Professional journals

- Trade magazines

- Internet networks and resources

- Government employment service offices

- Government organisations

- Professional associations

- Labour unions

- Private employment agencies and career consultants

Public sector

Every country has government institutions responsible for creating policies on education, training and employment. Such institutions are responsible for developing educational policies and coordinating education and labour market activities, both at a national and provincial level. Some of these institutions include:

- Department of Trade and Industry

- Department of Public Works and Infrastructure

- Department of Employment and Labour

- Enterprise development agencies

- Government vacancies websites

- National Youth Development Agency

South Africa's commitment to creating employment

Plans for job creation include:

- Youth Employment Service

- Jobs Summit

- Expanded Public Works Programme

- Amavulandlela Funding Scheme

- Employment Tax Incentive

- Clothing and Textile Master Plan and the Poultry Master Plan

- Public-Private Growth Initiative

Jobs Summit

The Framework Agreement was created during the Jobs Summit, and this included commitments to create 275 000 jobs annually. Commitments made included:

- Increasing access to community colleges and TVET colleges.

- Assisting small businesses through township supplier development programmes.

- Developing youth entrepreneurship.

- Boosting the economy through procurement interventions and industrial financing.

- Implementing a national minimum wage structure.

- Safeguarding correct implementation of the employment tax incentive.

- Establishing a national anti-corruption strategy.

YES — the Youth Employment Service

2018 saw the launch of YES, the Youth Employment Service. This is a business-led collaboration with government to create one million new work opportunities for South African youth.

The Employment Tax Incentive

The Amavulandlela Funding Scheme is exclusively for entrepreneurs with disabilities, and it was designed by the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (SEDFA). This scheme is provided to small and medium-sized enterprises with at least 50+1% ownership by South African entrepreneurs with disabilities.

The Public-Private Growth Initiative sees the private sector committing to invest R840 billion and to create 155 000 jobs by 2024 by investing in 43 projects across 19 sectors.

The Expanded Public Works Programme

The purpose of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) is to employ workers on a temporary or ongoing basis with government, contractors, or other private organisations.

The Clothing and Textile Master Plan aims to create 121 000 new jobs in the retail, clothing, textile and footwear sector over the next ten years. The Poultry Master Plan was created to save 54 000 jobs and support chicken farmers, while creating new jobs.

Private sector employment plays an important role in recruitment and training for industry. The private sector responds to needs and market expectations while creating employment in either specialised or graduate positions. Non-governmental organisations are concerned with special interests, such as the wellbeing of people or the environment. Non-governmental organisations have contributed greatly to career development and employment opportunities in South Africa.

Khetha

This is a website created by the Department of Higher Education and Training through the Career Development Services Directorate. It offers services that help individuals make informed career choices and facilitate access to post-school education and training opportunities. Khetha is the official brand for the career development service and is a trusted website for finding information.

Khetha provides the following services:

- Career information and advice

- Supporting learners to develop career plans

- Providing career resources and tools to assist career development practitioners

- Providing access to information on learning and career paths

- Supporting individuals to develop in their careers and adapt to changes in industry

- Promoting learning, working and training opportunities

Employment Services of South Africa (ESSA)

This is a government initiative that serves as a registry for unemployed people. People are required to submit their details along with their CVs, and the Department of Employment and Labour will attempt to assist in securing them work.

Many websites can be used to search for jobs, including:

- Employment Services of South Africa

- Local government websites

- Department of Public Service and Administration

- Career Planet

- CareerJet

- JobIsJob

- Metropolitan Municipality job portals

- Bizcommunity

- Student Village

- Job Mail

- Best Jobs

- Careers24

- PNet

- Indeed

- Job Space

- Career Junction

Alternative methods

Besides looking online, learners can enquire with counsellors in face-to-face sessions, by going to the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) and National Youth Development Agency centres closest to their homes. TVET college campuses also provide face-to-face services to help learners get information about careers and job placements.

Conclusion

Career development practitioners can use this as a basic guide on where to source information. Information must be updated frequently, as websites will make changes along the way.