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By Johnathan Paoli
President Cyril Ramaphosa and Higher Education and Training Minister Nobuhle Nkabane have praised job placement initiatives for their role in transforming the lives of young beneficiaries and contributing to turning the country around.
In a show of commitment to tackling youth unemployment, the two visited the Foundation for Professional Development (FPD) in Pretoria East.
“I applaud you and wish you the very best, because when you are in it, it will give you full assurance of even getting a job and becoming much more productive. It’s going to bring out the best in you. Just keep at it. It will make you even a better human being who will contribute more positively to society,” Ramaphosa said.
The site visit formed part of the president’s broader engagement with beneficiaries of the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) and the Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES).
The FPD is one of 12 implementing partners in the groundbreaking Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund pilot employment programme which is funded by R300 million in public investment.
This includes R100 million from the National Skills Fund (NSF) and R200 million from the National Treasury.
Designed to drive real and measurable employment impact, it is the first large-scale pay-for-performance employment initiative in the country.
Since its inception, the pilot has enrolled over 6293 young people in skills development programmes, placed nearly 3628 participants in jobs and seen over 1,461 individuals remain in employment for at least three months, and 796 for more than six months.
“This initiative is changing lives through meaningful, sustainable employment for our youth. It was an honour to welcome president Ramaphosa to FPD this afternoon to witness the power of outcomes-based funding in action,” Nkabane said.
The visit also included engagements with learners and programme beneficiaries.
Ramaphosa expressed deep admiration for the youth who were actively participating in the programme.
“Even the most confident are becoming more confident. You are now willing to help other people — your clients are your uncles, your relatives, your neighbours. This is not only pleasing, but touching,” he said
The president also highlighted the psychological toll of unemployment and praised the Jobs Boost programme for restoring purpose and hope:
“When you don’t have a job, it’s confidence destroying. It’s depressing. You isolate yourself. But this programme is bringing out the best in you. Just keep at it,” Ramaphosa said.
In addition to FPD’s efforts in the health sector, offering affordable clinical and management courses tailored to youth and professionals, other implementing partners like Krutham SA are also actively engaged in the Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund.
Nkabane lauded this as an example of successful cross-sector collaboration, involving her department, the NSF, the Presidency and civil society partners.
“This is what partnership looks like when everyone is focused on outcomes. The model demands results, not just training, and prioritises equity, accountability and impact,” she said.
Also accompanying the delegation was Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli, Acting NSF CEO Melissa Erra, and other senior officials.
The visit offered insights into how the government can scale innovative models that link public investment directly to employment outcomes.
Further supporting this national effort is Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, contracted by the Employment and Labour Department to serve as the national pathway manager under PYEI.
Harambee operates the SA Youth platform: a free, zero-rated service that has connected over 4 million young people to 1.67 million opportunities.
The organisation also works to stimulate demand in sectors such as digital services, early childhood development and global business services, while supporting youth to become work ready.
The Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund is being closely monitored to extract lessons for future national scaling.
Ramaphosa thanked the project leaders and facilitators, calling their work “phenomenal” and urging wider rollout.
INSIDE EDUCATION