Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) 2025: Partners Creating best Jobs for South Africa’s Youth

The Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) is tackling South Africa’s youth unemployment with partners like SA Youth, DBE, NYDA, and SETAs.

South Africa’s youth face one of the highest unemployment rates in the world. For many young people, finding that first job or gaining workplace experience is not easy. Recognizing this challenge, the government launched the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI), one of the largest and most ambitious youth employment initiatives in the country.

With support from multiple partners across government, private business, and non-profit organizations, the PYEI has been building bridges between unemployed youth and opportunities since 2020. Today, it plays a critical role in empowering young people with the skills, experience, and confidence they need to participate in South Africa’s economy.

In this article, we take a closer look at what the PYEI is, who its partners are, and how it is helping transform the lives of thousands of young people across the nation.

What is the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention?

The Presidential Youth Employment Intervention is a flagship programme introduced by President Cyril Ramaphosa as part of his broader effort to tackle youth unemployment. It is designed to unlock new pathways for young people by providing them with access to jobs, training, entrepreneurship opportunities, and workplace experience.

Rather than being a single programme, the PYEI is a coordinated framework that brings together different role players under one umbrella. Its focus is to:

• Create short-term employment opportunities for youth.
• Equip young people with skills for the future of work.
• Provide access to support services like mentorship, job readiness training, and digital tools.
• Work with the private sector to expand long-term opportunities.

One of its most visible achievements has been the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI), which hired hundreds of thousands of young people as teaching and classroom assistants in schools across South Africa.

The Partners Behind PYEI

The Presidential Youth Employment Intervention is not just a government initiative — it thrives on partnerships. Several organizations and institutions have joined hands to strengthen its impact:

1. Government Departments

The PYEI is coordinated by the Department of Employment and Labour, together with the Presidency. Other departments play key roles too, such as:

• Department of Basic Education (DBE): Runs the Basic Education Employment Initiative.
• Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET): Aligns PYEI opportunities with TVET colleges, SETAs such as LOCAL GOVERNMENT SETA, and skills programmes.
• Department of Small Business Development: Supports young entrepreneurs to access funding and mentorship.

2. Private Sector Companies

Large employers and industry leaders collaborate with Presidential Youth Employment Intervention by opening up internships, apprenticeships, and job placements. For example:

• Logistics companies have partnered to offer driver training programmes.
• Retail groups provide in-store work experience.
• Financial institutions help with entrepreneurship funding and financial literacy.

3. Non-Profit and Youth Development Organizations

Civil society plays a major role by ensuring opportunities reach young people on the ground. Key organizations include:

• Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, which runs the digital platform SA Youth (a free online space where young people can register and find jobs).
• National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), offering training, grants, and mentorship for young entrepreneurs.

4. Training and Skills Development Bodies

Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), universities, and TVET colleges partner with the PYEI to deliver short courses, learnerships, and occupational training.

The SA Youth Platform

A central pillar of the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention is the SA Youth mobi-site (sayouth.mobi). This free platform is a zero-rated website (no data charges on most networks) where young people between 18 and 35 can:

• Create a profile and upload their skills.
• Search for job opportunities and internships.
• Access training resources and career advice.
• Get matched with employers looking for candidates.

More than 4 million young South Africans have already registered on SA Youth, making it one of the largest youth employment databases in the country.

Success Stories from the PYEI

The impact of the PYEI can best be seen in the stories of young people who have benefited:

• Teaching Assistants: Thousands of youth were placed in schools through the Basic Education Employment Initiative. Many gained valuable work experience, confidence, and even went on to pursue teaching as a career.
• Entrepreneurs: With NYDA support under the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention, young people have launched small businesses ranging from catering services to digital marketing start-ups.
• Skills Development: Others have taken part in learnerships funded by SETAs, gaining industry-recognized qualifications and securing long-term employment.

These stories highlight the role of the PYEI in giving hope and direction to a generation that has often felt excluded from the economy.

Why PYEI Matters for South Africa

South Africa’s youth unemployment rate remains alarmingly high, sitting above 40%. Without targeted interventions, the country risks losing out on the potential of its largest population group.

The PYEI matters because it:

• Bridges the gap between education and employment.
• Provides short-term relief through temporary jobs.
• Builds long-term potential through training and mentorship.
• Encourages entrepreneurship, helping young people create their own opportunities.

By bringing together government, business, and civil society, the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention creates a collaborative model that could shape how South Africa tackles unemployment for years to come.

How Youth Can Get Involved

Young people looking to benefit from the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention can take these steps:

1. Register on SA Youth (sayouth.mobi) – it’s free and works on any phone.
2. Check for opportunities regularly, from school assistant posts to internships and learnerships.
3. Update your profile with skills, certificates, and experience to increase your chances.
4. Engage with partners like NYDA or SETAs for additional training and funding opportunities.
5. Stay consistent – the platform updates frequently with new opportunities.

The Road Ahead

While the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention has made significant progress, challenges remain. Many young people in rural areas still struggle to access opportunities due to poor connectivity, transport costs, or lack of awareness. Sustaining long-term funding and expanding partnerships will also be critical.

However, with its innovative approach and the scale of support behind it, the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention represents a ray of hope for South Africa’s youth. As more partners join the initiative, the vision of a country where every young person has a fair chance at success becomes more realistic.

Final Thoughts

The Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) is more than a programme — it’s a movement to empower South Africa’s youth. By combining the efforts of government, the private sector, non-profits, and training bodies, it opens real pathways for young people to find work, gain skills, and build their futures.

For any young South African wondering where to start, the first step is simple: visit SA Youth, register, and take advantage of the opportunities being created every day.

The journey toward solving youth unemployment is long, but with interventions like the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention and its committed partners, South Africa is moving closer to building a future where young people are not just job seekers, but leaders, innovators, and change-makers.