Skills Development Programmes Implemented in the 2024/2025 Financial Year
The Department of Employment and Labour (DOEL) spearheaded a nationwide initiative aimed at massifying skills development and job creation through collaboration between the public and private sectors. In November 2023, the Minister approved the Department’s participation in this initiative, leading to the implementation of various skills development programs in the 2024/2025 financial year.
Among these programs was the Food and Beverage Training Programme, which ran for six months across six provinces. To ensure continuity, Service Level Agreements (SLA) with accredited service providers from previous twelve-month programs were extended to cover the new six-month training period. The program commenced on 2 April 2024 and was successfully completed on 30 September 2024.
Food and Beverage Training Programme (Gauteng/Krugersdorp)
- Beneficiaries Recruited: 25
- Successful Completions: 21
- Dropouts: 4
Monitoring the Implementation of Skills Development Programmes
The South African government operates under the Government-Wide Monitoring and Evaluation (GWM&E) System, ensuring accountability, transparency, participation, and inclusion in public sector projects. The Department’s Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework ensured compliance and effective oversight of the programs.
To verify program effectiveness, the Directorate: Programme Planning and Implementation (PP&I) project team conducted classroom monitoring visits to:
- Verify the number and age of recruited beneficiaries.
- Assess the quality of training.
- Address any issues related to placement and program structure.
Impact Assessment of the Skills Development Programmes
The impact of these training programs was assessed through direct engagement with host employers, who provided learners with experiential practical training. The monitoring team conducted regular site visits to:
- Evaluate learners’ progress and practical training experience.
- Address any challenges encountered by both learners and host employers.
- Propose necessary interventions to improve program delivery.
Challenges identified included:
- Mismatch between learners and host employers, leading to irrelevant placements.
- Inadequate supervision and mentorship from host employers.
- Incomplete logbooks and lack of proper documentation.
- Learner absconding and uncompleted leave forms.
Project Advisory Committee (PAC) Meetings were held bi-monthly to review progress, discuss emerging issues, and propose corrective measures.
Support from the Working for Tourism (WFT) Directorate
The Directorate: Working for Tourism (WFT) played a critical role in monitoring and supporting program implementation, ensuring compliance with the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) prescripts. They developed quarterly reports detailing:
- Workdays completed.
- Work opportunities created.
- Induction sessions conducted for learners and host employers.
Impact on Employment and Career Development
The primary objective of the Tourism and Hospitality Skills Development (THSD) Strategy is to enhance workforce competency, fill skill gaps in the tourism sector, and improve South Africa’s global competitiveness. The training programs aimed to:
- Equip unemployed youth with work-readiness skills.
- Provide learners with practical workplace experience.
- Enhance employability within the hospitality and tourism sector.
Employment Opportunities Created
A key success of the Food and Beverage Training Programme was the employment of trained learners across various establishments:
| Province | Temporary Employment | Permanent Employment | Type of Establishments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gauteng | 17 | 19 | Hospitals, Restaurants, Accommodation, Self-employed |
Overall Achievements and Lessons Learned
Key achievements:
- Learners received accredited certificates upon completion.
- Participants gained valuable practical training, improving employability.
- Host employers benefited from additional workforce support.
- Several learners secured permanent employment after completing training.
- Strengthened Public-Private Partnerships contributed to poverty alleviation.
Challenges faced:
- Shortage of relevant host employers in some regions.
- Inadequate stipends, causing financial strain on learners.
- Limited post-training retention, with no structured aftercare program.
Graduation Ceremony
A graduation ceremony is scheduled for 20 February 2025 to honor and celebrate the program’s successful graduates. The Deputy Minister (DM) will officiate the event, delivering a keynote address and presenting accredited SETA qualifications to the graduates.
The 2024/2025 Skills Development Programmes have made significant strides in empowering South African youth by equipping them with practical skills and work experience. While challenges remain, continuous monitoring, evaluation, and collaboration between stakeholders ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of these programs in fostering employment opportunities and economic growth.
