Jobs Boost and PYEI host learning event highlighting groundbreaking results
POSTED ON: July 2, 2025 IN Newsby Woodman Maphalala
On 26 June, Jobs Boost and the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) convened a landmark learning event to share lessons from South Africa’s most ambitious outcomes-based youth employment programme. The event showcased insights, impact and innovation from 11 months of placing young people into real, sustained jobs.
Hosted by the Cheeba Cannabis Academy, one of the Jobs Boost implementing partners, the event brought together government officials, implementing partners, employers, youth beneficiaries and policy stakeholders to explore what works – and what doesn’t – when linking disadvantaged youth to quality employment through results-based funding.
Key outcomes shared from Jobs Boost so far:
- Over 5,200 authentic job placements secured for unemployed youth, with more than 1,500 retained at three months and more than 825 sustained at six months.
- R102m disbursed based on independently verified employment outcomes.
- Innovative approaches highlighted, including employer-centric models, gig economy pivots and digital systems for tracking and verification.
“This isn’t another work programme. It’s preparing people for real employment with real salaries,” said Kamenthren Govender a deputy director for skills development implementation of the National Skills Fund. “The outcomes-based model has proven not only that it works, but that it can shift the way public money delivers impact.”
Participants heard firsthand from implementing partners delivering on the programme. From Foundation for Professional Development developing interpersonal counsellors, to cannabis consultants now earning stable incomes because of Cheeba Cannabis Academy, to gig-workers turned formal employees by Green Riders (a youth development initiative that creates jobs in last mile delivery using e-bikes).
Lessons emphasised at the event:
- Flexibility fuels innovation: Implementing partners were empowered to adapt their approaches to local contexts and market demands.
- Technology is essential: Digital documentation and verification systems played a key role in reducing administrative burdens and scaling results.
- Demand creation is complex: Finding employers willing to commit to 12-month contracts required persistent engagement and adaptability.
- Targeting needs refinement: While reaching the most excluded youth remains the goal, rigid criteria sometimes excluded those in need but just above thresholds.
With the programme set to conclude its pilot phase in December 2025, the focus now shifts to evaluation and scaling. The learnings are already influencing other sectors, and South Africa will host the global Outcomes-Based Financing Summit in 2026 – positioning Jobs Boost as a flagship case study for innovation in public employment initiatives.
“We’ve proved that outcomes-based financing can deliver real jobs – not stipends, not internships – real employment,” said Riyaadh Ebrahim. “Now we must prove it can scale.”
For media enquiries, please contact:
Jennifer Kann: jkann@krutham.com | +27 83 455 3289
Kennedy Dube: kennedy@lingocom.co.za | +27 78 844 4229
About Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund
Jobs Boost is a R300m pay-for-performance model being piloted in South Africa. It is an outcomes fund that works with implementing partners to secure sustainable, quality jobs for unemployed, excluded youth.
Jobs Boost was initiated by the Presidency, DHET and the National Skills Fund (NSF) as part of the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI). Krutham was appointed to support with the design and the management of the pilot programme. Funding for the design of the programme was provided by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. The Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund is a project of a non-profit company, Employment Outcomes NPC, which Krutham established to administer the fund. For the pilot, the NSF, a part of the Department of Higher Education and Training, will act as the sole outcomes funder.
About Krutham
Krutham is a leading financial and policy advisory firm committed to driving positive impact in emerging markets. With a deep understanding of financial and capital markets, combined with a keen sense of social impact and politics, Krutham is dedicated to shaping industries and contributing to a better future. Straddling the spectrum of capital, Krutham works with diverse clients to deliver beyond the obvious and create financial systems that serve as a force for good. Krutham believes that financial systems are a force for good, and our role is to help maximise that good.
Share
