The recent shock contraction of the economy places further pressure on unemployed youth, which make up 39,6% of South Africa’s 15 – 34 year olds or 52% (if discouraged work seekers are included). In light of this, bold strategies to address unemployment are critical.
 
It is in this context that researchers from the Centre for Social Development in Africa (CSDA) at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) have been conducting research seeking to understand what works in addressing youth unemployment in the country.
 
Leila Patel, a Professor of Social Development Studies(UJ) and Lauren Graham, an Associate Professor at the Centre for Social Development in Africa, UJ will brief the media on their research findings highlighting the effects of youth employability programmes (locally-accessible programmes providing technical and workplace skills training to young people). Second it presents evidence of the impact of a financial capability intervention focused on promoting savings behaviour amongst young people.
 
An exciting outcome of the study is that youth employability programmes positively contribute to young people’s labour market outcomes. Another key finding of this study shows that the most important programme feature for predicting employment is offering matching services and that financial capability training does seem to have positive effects on employment.
 
This research study launch follows the release of the first round of findings in 2016. Previously, the study revealed that participants in youth employability programmes were from socioeconomically deprived households. For these young people higher levels of education were not translating into improved access to employment because other barriers remained in place, including the high costs of work seeking. These barriers essentially lock talented poor young people out of the labour market.
 
The findings reveal how locally-accessible, holistic support can in fact shift the labour market trajectory for many young people.
 
The study involved 1996 young people, aged 18 to 35 years, who participated in youth employability programmes (YEPs). They were interviewed four times over the course of three years.
 
Media briefing session:
 
Date:    Wednesday, 12 June 2019
Venue: School of Tourism and Hospitality Auditorium
             Auckland Park Bunting Road Campus
             University of Johannesburg
Time:   15:30 for 16:00
 
The briefing will last 30 minutes, after which there will be an opportunity for questions.
 
About the Centre for Social Development in Africa
The Centre for Social Development in Africa (CSDA) is a research centre based at the University of Johannesburg. Established in 2003, the centre is dedicated to basic, applied and strategic research in social development and developmental welfare. At the CSDA, we aim to positively influence development issues in the Southern African region by contributing to debates on social policy, improvements in service delivery and the expansion of knowledge through cutting-edge research.
 
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Note to the journalist/news editor/producer
 
For interview requests and RSVP: Contact Ms Thobile Zulu on 011 559 1933 (thobilez@uj.ac.za ) or Herman Esterhuizen (contact details below)
 
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