The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) formally acknowledged the significant challenges faced by Youth Employment Service (YES) initiative participants during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent 21-day lockdown, as outlined in Practice Note 1 of 2018 (Government Gazette Number 41975). This recognition marked an important step in addressing the pandemic's impact on youth employment programs.
The government's acknowledgment through the gazette demonstrated understanding of multiple critical factors affecting YES participants:
- The operational disruptions faced by participating businesses, many of which had to adapt to remote work or temporary closures during the lockdown period.
- The potential impact on youth placement programs and their ability to maintain employment commitments during restricted business operations.
- The need for flexibility in compliance requirements during unprecedented circumstances.
This official recognition through Practice Note 1 provided the legal framework for potential adjustments to support YES participants during the crisis. The dtic's awareness of these challenges indicated its commitment to maintaining the effectiveness of youth employment initiatives despite pandemic-related obstacles.
The acknowledgment also highlighted the broader implications for South Africa's youth employment landscape, recognising that COVID-19 restrictions could significantly impact the program's ability to achieve its objectives of creating work opportunities for young people.
The gazette reference served as a foundation for policy adaptations and support measures needed to ensure the sustainability of YES initiatives during the challenging period, while maintaining the program's core objective of addressing youth unemployment in South Africa.
This formal recognition through government channels emphasised the importance of protecting youth employment programs during crisis periods, ensuring their continued contribution to economic development and skills enhancement despite external challenges.
Amendment to the Gazette