Employment and labour minister Nomakhosazana Meth says 6,115 young people were among those placed in the province during the 2025/26 financial year. Her figures show 3,452 men and 6,769 women benefited from the programmes, while 46 placements involved persons with disabilities.

Meth provided the figures in response to a parliamentary question from uMkhonto Wesizwe Party MP Delisile Ntshaba, who requested a provincial breakdown of young people benefiting from the department’s employment programmes. Nationally, 98,869 work-seekers were placed in work and learning opportunities during the financial year.

North West recorded 2,637 male and 4,958 female beneficiaries, while 17 persons with disabilities were placed through the programmes. Of the province’s beneficiaries, 5,534 were young people. 

The latest figures come as the Free State intensifies efforts to connect young people with employment, training and business opportunities. The province recently hosted a multi-sectoral Youth Opportunities Expo aimed at equipping about 5,000 people aged between 18 and 35 with skills and opportunities to participate in the economy.

Some unemployed residents have raised concerns about age restrictions attached to certain government and municipal employment programmes. The province continues to contend with a high unemployment rate, increasing pressure on government and the private sector to expand pathways into sustainable employment.

Free State Office of the Premier deputy director for special programmes Tswelopele Mbalo told OFM News the provincial government wants to improve young people’s employability and reduce long-term reliance on the Social Relief of Distress grant. This requires closer cooperation between government, businesses and organisations involved in skills development.

Mbalo said the province is identifying skills needed to strengthen the mainstream economy, including those linked to digitalisation and changing technology. Training initiatives are being aligned with these needs to give young people skills that could improve their prospects in both the public and private sectors.

Meth said job creation remains one of government’s priorities under the Medium-Term Development Plan. The department of employment and labour works with other government departments, businesses and community organisations to connect job seekers, including young graduates, with available work and learning opportunities.

Its national network includes 126 labour centres with self-service facilities and 41 satellite offices. The department aims to contribute two million employment opportunities between 2024/25 and 2029/30 through Public Employment Services, the National Pathway Management Network and the Unemployment Insurance Fund.

The targets include 350,000 placements through Public Employment Services, 650,000 through the National Pathway Management Network and one million through the Unemployment Insurance Fund.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg

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