National Youth Development Agency on rise in youth unemployment

National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) is concerned about the increasing rate of unemployment in general, and youth unemployment in particular. Last year this time, Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) reported a staggering 34,2% of persons aged 15-24 years were not in employment, education or training.

Today, StatsSA reported that the “number of employed persons decreased by 237 000 to 16,3 million in Q1 of 2019, while the number of unemployed persons increased to 62,000 to 6,2 million compared to Q4 2018”.

Executive Chairperson of the NYDA, Mr Sifiso Mtsweni reiterates the call for 40% representation of young people in the workplace across private and public sector institutions. 

“We believe the scrapping of experience as a prerequisite to job placements will drastically reduce number of unemployed graduates. The growing number of discouraged work-seekers and the number of people who were not economically active for reasons other than discouragement needs urgent attention”.  

“The commitment by government working together with social partners to place economic growth and job creation at the centre of our national agenda is welcomed. However, we demand that the new government administration increase the speed at which it moves to resolve this dire situation” said Mtsweni

Media enquiries:
Lerato Gambu
Cell: 064 860 0716

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