SEF Partners Urge Broader Metrics as 55.8% of 3,300 Participants Enter Formal Jobs
Updated
Updated · Daily Maverick · Aug 20
SEF Partners Urge Broader Metrics as 55.8% of 3,300 Participants Enter Formal Jobs
1 articles · Updated · Daily Maverick · Aug 20
Summary
SEF partners said South Africa should judge public employment programmes on wider livelihood outcomes, not only whether participants move into formal jobs after leaving.
Data from 19 strategic implementing partners showed more than 3,300 SEF participants followed three main paths: 55.8% entered formal employment, 34.5% started micro-enterprises and 9.6% pursued study or training.
Partners argued a formal-jobs-only test misreads a labour market shaped by structural unemployment, informal work and mixed income sources, risking funding cuts to programmes that still expand employability.
They said SEF participation also builds skills, confidence, networks and community capacity through civil society organisations, creating social and local economic value beyond direct job placements.
The push came at the fund's annual workshop as policymakers weigh the future of public employment programmes in a tight fiscal environment.