President Cyril Ramaphosa recently visited the Foundation for Professional Development (FPD) in Pretoria East to observe progress on the Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund, a pioneering initiative aimed at creating sustainable employment opportunities for young people and marginalised communities.

The visit formed part of the President’s engagements with youth beneficiaries of key flagship initiatives under the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) and the Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES). He was joined by the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, and the Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Youth, Ms Nonceba Mhlauli, as part of the national Youth Month programme.

The Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund, supported by the National Skills Fund (NSF), represents an innovative approach to tackling youth unemployment through a pay-for-performance model. This model links funding directly to measurable employment outcomes, service providers are only paid once young people are placed in jobs and remain employed over time.

During the visit, the President interacted with several beneficiaries who shared how the programme had helped them gain workplace exposure, secure employment, and take significant steps towards building long-term careers.

The FPD is one of 12 implementing partners in the Jobs Boost pilot, which the NSF leads in partnership with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and National Treasury. The initiative received R300 million in public funding, R100 million from the NSF and R200 million from National Treasury, Jobs Boost is South Africa’s first large-scale pay-for-performance employment programme.

To date, the pilot has:

• Enrolled over 6,293 young people in skills programmes;
• Placed nearly 3,628 participants in employment;
• Seen over 1,461 retain employment for at least three months, and more than 796 for six months or longer.

The President’s visit reinforced government’s commitment to evidence-based, outcome-driven approaches in job creation and skills development. It also highlighted the power of public-private collaboration in addressing youth unemployment and expanding economic inclusion.

The NSF, together with its partners, remains committed to driving innovative solutions that deliver meaningful change in the lives of young South Africans.

By Asanda Msileni – Deputy Director: Public Relations and Communication

Picture caption:Cyril Ramaphosa with the NSF beneficiaries during his site visit at the Foundation for Professional Development in Pretoria.